CVE-2005-3893 in OTRS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.pl in Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) 1.0.0 through 1.3.2 and 2.0.0 through 2.0.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands and bypass authentication via the (1) user parameter in the Login action, and remote authenticated users via the (2) TicketID and (3) ArticleID parameters of the AgentTicketPlain action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2005-3893 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Open Ticket Request System OTRS version 1.0.0 through 1.3.2 and 2.0.0 through 2.0.3, exposing multiple SQL injection attack vectors that could lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.pl script which serves as the primary entry point for user authentication and ticket management operations within the OTRS platform. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries, creating exploitable pathways for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that leverage different parameters within the application's request handling mechanisms. The first vector targets the user parameter during the Login action, allowing remote attackers to bypass authentication by injecting malicious SQL code that manipulates the login verification process. The second and third vectors operate through the TicketID and ArticleID parameters respectively within the AgentTicketPlain action, enabling both remote authenticated users and unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database backend. These injection points occur because the application directly incorporates user input into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input sanitization, making the system susceptible to classic SQL injection attacks that can extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute system commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise the OTRS system and potentially gain access to sensitive customer information, support ticket data, and internal system credentials. The authentication bypass capability means that attackers can gain unauthorized access to administrative functions and user accounts, while the arbitrary SQL command execution allows for complete database manipulation and potential privilege escalation within the application environment. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for SQL injection attacks, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on ticket management systems for customer support and internal operations. The vulnerability affects organizations that handle sensitive data through OTRS, particularly those in regulated industries where data protection and access control are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3893 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures including the application of vendor patches and updates to the OTRS platform, as well as the implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. Organizations should enforce strict input sanitization mechanisms that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing, implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, and conduct comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database access controls should be deployed to provide additional layers of defense, while regular security monitoring and log analysis should be established to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper secure coding practices to prevent SQL injection attacks that continue to represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of web application vulnerabilities.