CVE-2011-5069 in Support Incident Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in incident_attachments.php in Support Incident Tracker (aka SiT!) 3.65 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in unspecified directory, a different program than CVE-2011-3833.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5069 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the Support Incident Tracker (SiT!) version 3.65 application. This vulnerability specifically affects the incident_attachments.php component, which handles file upload functionality for support incidents. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files with executable extensions directly into the application's file system.
This vulnerability operates through a fundamental security oversight in the file upload validation process where the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict file types based on their extensions or content. The flaw allows attackers to upload files with potentially dangerous extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats that can be executed by the web server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate credentials can exploit this weakness without requiring special privileges or external attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the target system through uploaded malicious files. Once an attacker successfully uploads an executable file, they can access it directly via a web request to the file location, enabling remote code execution and potentially full system compromise. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," and represents a significant breach in the application's input validation and file handling security controls. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-434 highlights the fundamental flaw in how the application processes user-supplied file content without proper security checks.
The attack vector for CVE-2011-5069 follows a predictable pattern where authenticated users can leverage their credentials to upload malicious files through the incident attachments functionality. Unlike other similar vulnerabilities, this specific implementation does not rely on complex exploitation techniques but rather on the simple fact that the application does not adequately validate file extensions or content type. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that attackers can execute uploaded files directly through web requests, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that do not properly isolate uploaded content from executable code. This weakness creates a persistent backdoor that attackers can maintain even after initial access, as the uploaded files remain accessible and executable through the web server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate file upload validation issues and implement broader security controls to prevent unauthorized code execution. Organizations should implement strict file type validation using both extension filtering and content type checking to prevent executable files from being uploaded. The application should also implement proper file storage separation where uploaded files are stored outside the web root or in directories with restricted access permissions. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and regular security audits of uploaded content can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers "Exploit Public-Facing Application" through web application vulnerabilities that allow for code execution through file upload mechanisms.