CVE-2017-18486 in Helpdesk
Summary
by MITRE
Jitbit Helpdesk before 9.0.3 allows remote attackers to escalate privileges because of mishandling of the User/AutoLogin userHash parameter. By inspecting the token value provided in a password reset link, a user can leverage a weak PRNG to recover the shared secret used by the server for remote authentication. The shared secret can be used to escalate privileges by forging new tokens for any user. These tokens can be used to automatically log in as the affected user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18486 affects Jitbit Helpdesk versions prior to 9.0.3 and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw stemming from improper handling of the User/AutoLogin userHash parameter. This issue enables remote attackers to exploit weaknesses in the authentication mechanism by leveraging a predictable token generation process that relies on a weak pseudo-random number generator. The vulnerability specifically targets the password reset functionality where token values are generated and distributed to users, creating an attack surface that can be systematically exploited without requiring local access or elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of a weak random number generator in the token creation process, which allows attackers to reverse-engineer the shared secret used for authentication purposes. This weakness directly violates security principle 24 from the OWASP Top Ten 2017, which addresses the improper use of random numbers, and aligns with CWE-330, which describes the use of insufficiently random values. The shared secret serves as the cryptographic key for generating valid authentication tokens, and its predictability through statistical analysis or brute force techniques enables attackers to forge tokens for any user account within the system. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1548.002 for privilege escalation through legitimate credentials and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering or token manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to full administrative control over user accounts and potentially the entire helpdesk system. An attacker who successfully recovers the shared secret can automatically log in as any user, including administrators, without requiring knowledge of legitimate passwords or credentials. This capability enables persistent access to sensitive customer data, system configuration information, and the ability to manipulate helpdesk tickets, user permissions, and system settings. The attack can be executed entirely remotely without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on web-based helpdesk solutions for critical business operations. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the underlying implementation is patched or the shared secret is rotated, potentially allowing attackers to maintain access for extended periods.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jitbit Helpdesk version 9.0.3 or later to address this vulnerability, as the patch resolves the weak random number generation issue by implementing a cryptographically secure random number generator. Additional mitigations include implementing proper session management controls, rotating authentication secrets regularly, and monitoring for unusual login patterns or automated access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish proper access controls to limit the impact of potential compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the dangers of relying on insufficiently random values in security-sensitive applications, as outlined in NIST SP 800-90A guidelines for random number generation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and ensure that all cryptographic components follow established security standards and best practices.