CVE-2008-5165 in eTicket
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in eTicket 1.5.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pri parameter to (1) index.php, (2) open.php, (3) open_raw.php, and (4) newticket.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2018
The CVE-2008-5165 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the eTicket 1.5.7 ticketing system that exposes multiple entry points to remote SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of user-supplied data, specifically targeting the pri parameter across four key script files. The affected endpoints include index.php, open.php, open_raw.php, and newticket.php, each serving different functional purposes within the ticket management workflow. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning as these scripts handle core ticketing functionality including ticket creation, viewing, and management operations, making them prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing malicious actors to inject SQL syntax that manipulates the intended query execution. This flaw directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation, data modification, and potentially full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information, modify ticket records, manipulate user accounts, or even gain administrative access to the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple scripts in the application's core functionality, increasing the probability of successful exploitation. The lack of input validation means that any user who can access these pages can potentially exploit the vulnerability, making it a significant risk to organizations relying on this ticketing system for operational workflows. Organizations using eTicket 1.5.7 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and application-level security hardening. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure coding practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Remediation efforts should focus on patching the application to version 1.5.8 or later, which addresses these SQL injection vulnerabilities through proper parameterization of database queries and enhanced input validation. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by SQL injection flaws in web applications and the necessity of comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.