CVE-2011-1687 in Best Practical
Summary
by MITRE
Best Practical Solutions RT 3.0.0 through 3.6.10, 3.8.0 through 3.8.9, and 4.0.0rc through 4.0.0rc7 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by using the search interface, as demonstrated by retrieving encrypted passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1687 affects the RT (Request Tracker) issue tracking system developed by Best Practical Solutions, specifically impacting versions ranging from 3.0.0 through 3.6.10, 3.8.0 through 3.8.9, and 4.0.0rc through 4.0.0rc7. This represents a significant information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of systems relying on this software for issue management and ticket tracking. The vulnerability resides within the search interface functionality, which is a core component of the application's user experience and administrative capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the search functionality that allows authenticated users to bypass normal permission checks and retrieve sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. When users leverage the search interface, they can construct queries that expose encrypted passwords stored within the database, effectively creating an information leakage channel that violates fundamental security principles of data confidentiality. This vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper input validation and access control enforcement during search operations, allowing malicious authenticated users to craft search parameters that reveal data beyond their intended scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire authentication infrastructure of affected systems. The disclosure of encrypted passwords provides adversaries with valuable information that could be used for further attacks, including credential stuffing, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on RT for managing sensitive issues, as it undermines the trust placed in the system's access controls and data protection mechanisms. The fact that this affects multiple version ranges indicates a persistent flaw in the software's security architecture that was not adequately addressed across different releases.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and the ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 for valid accounts, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized access to system resources through legitimate user accounts. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting search functionality for non-administrative users, applying the latest security patches provided by Best Practical Solutions, and implementing additional access controls around sensitive data retrieval operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive organizational data.
The remediation approach should involve upgrading to patched versions of the RT software, implementing network-level restrictions on search functionality, and conducting thorough security reviews of all search-related components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database-level access controls that prevent direct querying of sensitive fields, regardless of user permissions, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual search patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against information disclosure attacks that can compromise entire system infrastructures.