CVE-2011-4337 in Support Incident Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in translate.php in Support Incident Tracker (aka SiT!) 3.45 through 3.65 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into an executable language file in the i18n directory via the lang variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4337 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the Support Incident Tracker (SiT!) application version 3.45 through 3.65. This vulnerability resides in the translate.php component which handles language translation functionality within the application. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into executable language files. The vulnerability specifically targets the lang variable parameter which is processed without sufficient security controls, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code within the application's context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the lang variable parameter in the translate.php script. When an attacker supplies malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before writing it to language files located in the i18n directory. This directory typically contains executable PHP files that are loaded during application runtime, making the injected code executable. The flaw constitutes a classic path traversal and code injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the SiT! application. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter."
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected versions of SiT!. Remote attackers can gain unauthorized access to the application server, potentially leading to complete system compromise including data theft, service disruption, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically has access to database credentials, application files, and potentially sensitive user information. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized data access, system corruption, and potential use as a foothold for broader network attacks. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential denial of service conditions, data integrity compromise, and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4337 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation on all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in file operations or code generation contexts. The recommended approach involves whitelisting acceptable language codes and implementing proper escaping mechanisms for any dynamic content insertion. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions of SiT! that have addressed this vulnerability through proper input validation and secure coding practices. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious parameter values, restricting file permissions on the i18n directory to prevent unauthorized code injection, and conducting regular security assessments of application components. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual file modification patterns in the i18n directory can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing code injection attacks, particularly in applications that dynamically generate or modify executable content.