CVE-2011-2385 in OTRS
Summary
by MITRE
The iPhoneHandle package 0.9.x before 0.9.7 and 1.0.x before 1.0.3 in Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) does not properly restrict use of the iPhoneHandle interface, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges, and consequently read or modify OTRS core objects, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2385 affects the iPhoneHandle package within the Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) platform, specifically impacting versions 0.9.x prior to 0.9.7 and 1.0.x prior to 1.0.3. This security flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that undermines the integrity of the OTRS authentication and authorization mechanisms. The iPhoneHandle interface was designed to provide mobile access to the ticketing system, but the implementation contained significant security gaps that allowed authenticated users to bypass normal access controls and escalate their privileges within the system.
The technical flaw stems from improper access control restrictions within the iPhoneHandle package implementation. When users authenticate to the OTRS system, they should be confined to their designated roles and permissions as defined by the system's access control policies. However, the vulnerability in the iPhoneHandle interface allows authenticated users to exploit unspecified vectors that enable them to gain elevated privileges beyond their normal operational scope. This privilege escalation capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and allows attackers to access core system objects that should remain restricted to administrators or specific privileged roles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the ability to read and modify OTRS core objects that contain sensitive data and system configurations. This includes access to ticket records, user management information, system settings, and potentially other critical components that govern the operation of the ticketing system. The ability to modify core objects can lead to data corruption, unauthorized changes to system behavior, and potential complete system compromise. Attackers could manipulate ticket workflows, alter user permissions, access confidential customer information, or disrupt the normal operation of the ticketing system.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation attacks in web applications. The attack vector involves authenticated users leveraging weaknesses in the iPhoneHandle interface to gain unauthorized access to system resources, representing a significant deviation from the intended security model of the OTRS platform. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be used to establish persistent access within the system. The vulnerability also reflects poor input validation and access control implementation practices that are commonly exploited in enterprise ticketing systems where mobile access interfaces are provided.
The recommended mitigations include immediate patching of affected OTRS installations to versions 0.9.7 or 1.0.3 and later, which contain the necessary access control fixes. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of the iPhoneHandle interface usage and access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and additional authentication controls should be considered for mobile interfaces, while regular security audits of third-party packages and interfaces should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate mobile functionality while properly enforcing access controls.