CVE-2005-2843 in Hesk
Summary
by MITRE
Helpdesk software Hesk 0.92 does not properly verify usernames and passwords, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a direct request to admin_main.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2843 affects Hesk helpdesk software version 0.92, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of the application. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and authentication verification mechanisms within the software's administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the admin_main.php endpoint, which serves as the primary access point for administrative functions within the helpdesk system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting direct HTTP requests to bypass the standard authentication flow and gain unauthorized administrative access to the system.
The technical flaw manifests in the software's failure to properly validate user credentials when processing requests to the admin_main.php file. This authentication bypass occurs because the application does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses valid administrative privileges before granting access to administrative functions. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to circumvent the normal login process entirely, enabling them to access sensitive administrative controls without proper authorization. This type of flaw falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms, which is classified as CWE-287 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing improper authentication vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the helpdesk system. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate all aspects of the helpdesk functionality including but not limited to viewing and modifying customer data, accessing confidential support tickets, changing system configurations, adding or removing users, and potentially executing arbitrary code if the system allows such operations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system or knowledge of valid credentials. This vulnerability directly maps to tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as it enables unauthorized access through compromised administrative accounts or by creating unauthorized access paths.
The vulnerability exploitation process involves crafting specific HTTP requests that directly target the admin_main.php endpoint without proper authentication headers or session validation. This type of attack demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where the software assumes that legitimate requests will always come through the proper user interface rather than through direct API endpoints. The lack of proper access control checks at the endpoint level creates a significant security gap that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical skill. Organizations using Hesk 0.92 are particularly vulnerable as this version predates many modern security best practices and lacks proper input sanitization and access control mechanisms that would normally prevent such unauthorized access attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Hesk software to version 1.0 or later, which contains the necessary authentication fixes. System administrators should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict direct access to administrative endpoints like admin_main.php, particularly from untrusted networks. Additional measures include implementing proper input validation and authentication checks at all entry points, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The use of multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls should also be implemented to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unauthorized access attempts to administrative interfaces, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks that can lead to complete system compromise.