CVE-2015-4073 in Helpdesk Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Helpdesk Pro plugin before 1.4.0 for Joomla! allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) ticket_code or (2) email parameter or (3) remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the filter_order parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The CVE-2015-4073 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Helpdesk Pro plugin for Joomla content management systems, contained insufficient input validation mechanisms that allowed attackers to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted malicious inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through three distinct parameter injection points that collectively represent a comprehensive attack surface for malicious actors. The primary attack vectors include the ticket_code parameter, which when improperly sanitized allows attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads directly into the ticket retrieval process. Additionally, the email parameter presents another injection point where user-provided email addresses can be manipulated to execute unauthorized database operations. The third vulnerability targets authenticated users through the filter_order parameter, which is typically used for sorting support tickets in the administrative interface, making this attack particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with legitimate access privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4073 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. This capability allows threat actors to perform complete database enumeration, extract sensitive user credentials, modify or delete critical support ticket data, and potentially escalate their privileges within the Joomla! system. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to compromise the affected installations, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting sensitive customer support data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to customer information, including personal details and support history, potentially leading to identity theft or further system compromise through credential reuse attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4073 should prioritize immediate patching of the Helpdesk Pro plugin to version 1.4.0 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries and prepared statements throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while comprehensive monitoring of database access patterns should be implemented to detect suspicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security auditing and the need for robust input validation practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. The attack surface exposed by CVE-2015-4073 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which describes application layer protocol abuse through SQL injection, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security domains.