CVE-2017-9299 in Open Ticket Request System
Summary
by MITRE
Open Ticket Request System (OTRS) 3.3.9 has XSS in index.pl?Action=AgentStats requests, as demonstrated by OrderBy=[XSS] and Direction=[XSS] attacks.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The Open Ticket Request System OTRS version 3.3.9 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the index.pl?Action=AgentStats request handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically affects the OrderBy and Direction parameters within the statistics functionality, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization of user-supplied parameters passed through the web interface.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic content. The attack vector leverages the fact that the system does not adequately sanitize the OrderBy and Direction parameters, enabling attackers to inject script code that gets executed when the statistics page renders. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets authenticated users within the OTRS system, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive data through session hijacking techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking attacks and steal authentication tokens from authenticated users. An attacker could craft malicious requests that include script code in the OrderBy and Direction parameters, which would then execute when other authenticated users view the statistics page. This creates a persistent threat where the malicious code executes in the victim's browser context, potentially allowing attackers to access other parts of the system or steal user credentials. The vulnerability affects the core statistics functionality and can be exploited through standard web browser requests without requiring special tools or access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters in the statistics module. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches immediately and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting these parameters. The solution must include proper sanitization of input data before it is processed or displayed, ensuring that any script content is properly escaped or removed. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution even if the primary input validation fails. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user input within web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for credential access through web application attacks.