CVE-2011-5071 in Support Incident Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Support Incident Tracker (aka SiT!) before 3.64 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) exc[] parameter to report_marketing.php, (2) selected[] parameter to tasks.php, (3) sites[] parameter to billable_incidents.php, or (4) search_string parameter to search.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The CVE-2011-5071 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting the Support Incident Tracker (SiT!) application version 3.64 and earlier. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands by manipulating specific parameters within the application's web interface. The flaw exists across multiple endpoints including report_marketing.php, tasks.php, billable_incidents.php, and search.php, demonstrating a widespread issue in the application's input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems where the application is accessible over the internet. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters. When attackers submit malicious payloads through the exc[] parameter in report_marketing.php, selected[] parameter in tasks.php, sites[] parameter in billable_incidents.php, or search_string parameter in search.php, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that gets executed by the underlying database engine, potentially granting them unauthorized access to database contents, including user credentials, system information, and sensitive business data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers could potentially modify or delete database records, escalate privileges, or even gain shell access to the underlying system.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5071 is severe for organizations using affected versions of SiT!. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to compromise entire database systems, leading to data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's presence in multiple application endpoints increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of partial mitigations. Organizations running these older versions face significant risk as the vulnerability allows for persistent access to sensitive information. The flaw directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the system as defined in the CIA triad, potentially enabling attackers to modify data, steal credentials, or perform unauthorized actions within the application's operational context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application updates to version 3.64 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection flaws. Organizations should also implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent SQL injection attacks. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable endpoints. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing database compromise attacks.