CVE-2005-4025 in Help Desk Reloaded
Summary
by MITRE
Help Desk Reloaded Free Help Desk does not remove or protect install.php once installation is complete, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a direct request to install.php, then navigating to accountsetup.php and creating a new user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4025 represents a critical security flaw in Help Desk Reloaded Free Help Desk software version 1.0. This issue stems from improper post-installation security configuration where the installation script install.php remains accessible after the initial setup process has been completed. The flaw creates a persistent security risk that directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and privilege management. According to CWE-668, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere" where a resource intended for a specific operational context remains accessible beyond its designated scope. The software fails to implement proper cleanup procedures or access restrictions after installation, leaving the system in a vulnerable state.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a straightforward but dangerous attack pattern. Remote attackers can directly access the install.php file through a web browser or automated tools, bypassing normal application authentication mechanisms. Once access is gained, the attacker can navigate through the accountsetup.php interface to create new administrative user accounts. This privilege escalation occurs because the software does not properly validate access permissions for installation scripts after the initial setup phase. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for unauthorized users to gain administrative control over the help desk system, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1543 for Create or Modify System Process. The flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in application lifecycle management where temporary installation artifacts are not properly secured or removed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data compromise and system control. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish persistent administrative access to the help desk system, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, ticket data, and system configuration details. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire help desk infrastructure, as the attacker can modify system settings, view restricted information, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the software for customer support and internal help desk management. The vulnerability also impacts the availability of the system as attackers could potentially disrupt services or create denial of service conditions through unauthorized modifications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4025 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations must immediately remove or rename the install.php file after successful installation to prevent unauthorized access. The software should be configured to disable access to installation scripts post-setup, implementing proper access controls that align with the principle of least privilege. System administrators should verify that all temporary installation files are properly secured or deleted following the installation process. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing security controls during the software development lifecycle, including proper access control mechanisms and automated cleanup procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block direct access attempts to installation scripts, and conduct regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation approach should follow security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for access control and system configuration management.