CVE-2017-5944 in Request Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
The dashboard subscription interface in Request Tracker (RT) 4.x before 4.0.25, 4.2.x before 4.2.14, and 4.4.x before 4.4.2 might allow remote authenticated users with certain privileges to execute arbitrary code via a crafted saved search name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5944 affects Request Tracker (RT) versions 4.x before 4.0.25, 4.2.x before 4.2.14, and 4.4.x before 4.4.2, specifically within the dashboard subscription interface. This represents a critical security flaw that could enable remote authenticated attackers with specific privileges to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the saved search functionality that is used for dashboard subscriptions, creating a path for code injection attacks that could compromise the entire RT instance.
The technical flaw manifests in how the system processes saved search names within the dashboard subscription mechanism. When users create subscriptions to dashboard views, the system stores these search parameters in a manner that does not properly sanitize user input, particularly in the naming field for saved searches. This vulnerability is classified as a code injection flaw under CWE-94, which specifically addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input validation. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious saved search names that contain executable code, which then gets processed and executed when the dashboard subscription is accessed, effectively allowing for remote code execution on the RT server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables full system compromise when attackers can access the dashboard subscription interface with appropriate permissions. Organizations using affected RT versions face significant risks including data breaches, system takeover, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of RT's dashboard feature, which is commonly used for monitoring and reporting, making it a prime target for exploitation. The attack vector requires only authenticated access with specific privileges, meaning that users with dashboard subscription capabilities could potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to RT's subscription features.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5944 should prioritize immediate patching of affected RT versions to the recommended secure releases, specifically RT 4.0.25, 4.2.14, and 4.4.2, which contain the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to RT systems and enforce strict access controls for dashboard subscription features. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to arbitrary code execution. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual saved search creation patterns can provide additional layers of defense, though the primary remediation remains upgrading to patched versions of the software.