CVE-2017-15864 in Open Ticket Request System
Summary
by MITRE
In the Agent Frontend in Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) 3.3.x through 3.3.18, with a crafted URL it is possible to gain information like database user and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15864 affects the Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) version 3.3.x through 3.3.18, specifically within the Agent Frontend component. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that allows remote attackers to extract sensitive database credentials through manipulation of URL parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper error handling mechanisms within the application's frontend interface.
This security weakness operates through a classic path traversal or parameter manipulation attack vector where crafted URLs can trigger the application to reveal internal database connection details including usernames and passwords. The flaw exists due to inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are processed by the Agent Frontend module. When the system processes these malformed URL requests, it inadvertently exposes database authentication credentials in error messages or response data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, focusing on file and directory discovery through system information gathering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with direct access to database credentials, enabling them to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially escalate privileges within the system. An attacker could leverage these credentials to access sensitive customer data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands against the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using OTRS 3.3.x versions, which represents a significant portion of legacy deployments where upgrading may not be immediately feasible but where the risk remains high.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the Agent Frontend, and configuring proper input validation rules. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and implementing web application firewalls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in web applications, as it highlights how seemingly benign parameter processing can create information disclosure opportunities that significantly compromise system security. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of all application components to identify similar vulnerabilities that might exist in other parts of the system architecture.