CVE-2013-4945 in Service Desk Express
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in BMC Service Desk Express (SDE) 10.2.1.95 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) ASPSESSIONIDASSRATTQ, (2) TABLE_WIDGET_1, (3) TABLE_WIDGET_2, (4) browserDateTimeInfo, or (5) browserNumberInfo cookie parameter to DashBoardGUI.aspx; or the (6) UID parameter to login.aspx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2024
The CVE-2013-4945 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in BMC Service Desk Express version 10.2.1.95, exposing multiple SQL injection attack vectors that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability affects the web-based administration interface of the service desk application, specifically targeting the DashBoardGUI.aspx and login.aspx pages through various cookie parameters and input fields. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database query construction logic, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation occurs through five distinct attack vectors that leverage cookie-based input manipulation. The ASPSESSIONIDASSRATTQ session identifier, along with TABLE_WIDGET_1 and TABLE_WIDGET_2 parameters, provide attackers with opportunities to inject malicious SQL payloads directly into the application's query execution flow. Additionally, browserDateTimeInfo and browserNumberInfo cookie parameters, which are typically used for client-side browser information tracking, become vulnerable entry points when improperly sanitized. The sixth vector involves the UID parameter in login.aspx, where the authentication mechanism fails to properly validate user input before incorporating it into database queries. These vulnerabilities collectively fall under CWE-89, SQL Injection, and represent a classic case of insufficient input sanitization in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining access to sensitive customer information, service desk records, and administrative credentials. The remote nature of these attacks means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on BMC SDE for critical IT service management operations. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use these vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and exfiltrate data from the service desk environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries, along with network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable application. The most effective defense involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and implementing proper web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their service desk implementations and ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database interaction. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while access controls should be strengthened to limit the damage potential of any successful breach. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing database-based attacks that can compromise entire enterprise systems.