CVE-2015-2999 in Help Desk
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in SysAid Help Desk before 15.2 allow remote administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) groupFilter parameter in an AssetDetails report to /genericreport, customSQL parameter in a (2) TopAdministratorsByAverageTimer report or an (3) ActiveRequests report to /genericreport, (4) dir parameter to HelpDesk.jsp, or (5) grantSQL parameter to RFCGantt.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2999 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting SysAid Help Desk versions prior to 15.2. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input within various report generation endpoints, creating a pathway for remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter malicious input parameters before incorporating them into database queries. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage their administrative privileges to manipulate the underlying database directly, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or compromising the entire system. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints within the application, making the attack surface broader and more concerning for organizations using this help desk solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through several distinct parameter injection points within the application's reporting functionality. The groupFilter parameter in AssetDetails report processing, customSQL parameter in TopAdministratorsByAverageTimer and ActiveRequests reports, dir parameter in HelpDesk.jsp, and grantSQL parameter in RFCGantt.jsp all present opportunities for SQL injection exploitation. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that can alter query execution behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in database operations. The attack vector requires authentication as an administrator, which reduces the initial attack complexity but does not eliminate the severity of potential impact.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2999 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables full database manipulation capabilities for authenticated attackers. An attacker with administrative access could extract all user credentials, modify system configurations, delete critical data, or even escalate privileges to gain system-level access. The vulnerability's presence in reporting modules is particularly concerning because these features are often used for generating sensitive business intelligence and administrative summaries. Organizations relying on SysAid Help Desk for IT service management could face significant operational disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches that would require extensive forensic analysis and system restoration procedures.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2015-2999. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to SysAid Help Desk version 15.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in all web applications can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns or unauthorized administrative activities. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it in the credential access and defense evasion categories, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the technical flaw and potential attacker behaviors. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications.