CVE-2013-7191 in Helpdesk Pilot
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Tenmiles Helpdesk Pilot allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to the default URI for a ticket.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2018
The CVE-2013-7191 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Tenmiles Helpdesk Pilot application that exposes organizations to significant security risks. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of HTTP request parameters, specifically the PATH_INFO component that is processed through the default URI for ticket management. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response, creating a persistent vector for exploitation. The vulnerability's severity stems from its ability to execute arbitrary code within the context of a user's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages standard HTTP request processing mechanisms that are commonly used in web applications, making it both accessible and difficult to detect through conventional security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data from the PATH_INFO parameter before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. When an attacker crafts a malicious request with specially formatted PATH_INFO data and submits it to the ticket handling URI, the application processes this input without adequate security controls. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be seamlessly integrated into legitimate web pages, enabling the execution of malicious scripts within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically affects how the helpdesk system renders dynamic content based on user input, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers without requiring any special privileges or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7191 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within an organization's network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's presence in a helpdesk system creates particular risk since these applications often contain sensitive information about users, systems, and business operations. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to support tickets, exposure of confidential customer data, and potential disruption of support services. The vulnerability also aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1566 for social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can use the XSS payload to execute malicious commands or establish further footholds within the network. This vulnerability's classification under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, underscores the fundamental security weakness in input validation and output encoding practices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7191 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or rendering. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious PATH_INFO patterns, while also implementing content security policies that limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. The fix should include comprehensive parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes any potentially malicious input before it reaches the application's core processing logic. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring of suspicious requests to detect exploitation attempts, while following the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing widespread exploitation of web applications.