CVE-2018-25111 in django-helpdesk
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2025
django-helpdesk before 1.0.0 allows Sensitive Data Exposure because of os.umask(0) in models.py.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The django-helpdesk application version 0.9.0 and earlier contains a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive data due to improper file permission handling. This vulnerability resides in the models.py file where the operating system umask is set to zero, effectively disabling permission restrictions on newly created files. The flaw represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and creates an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized access to confidential information stored within the application's file system. When os.umask(0) is executed, it removes all permission bits from newly created files, making them world-readable and world-writable, which fundamentally compromises the security model of the application.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-732 category, which specifically addresses Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 related to Phishing with Malicious Attachments. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the application creates log files, uploaded documents, or other sensitive data storage mechanisms without proper permission controls. The umask setting of zero means that any file created by the django-helpdesk application will inherit default permissions that allow all users on the system to read and modify these files, potentially exposing user credentials, support tickets, correspondence, and other confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core file creation mechanisms within the application's data model layer, making it difficult to contain the impact to specific components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who gains access to the application server can immediately access sensitive data that should be protected by file system permissions, including user communications, ticket details, and potentially system configuration files. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on django-helpdesk for customer support operations, as it undermines the confidentiality guarantees that users expect when submitting sensitive information through support channels. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments where different users' data might be stored on the same file system, creating cross-contamination risks between different customer accounts.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to django-helpdesk version 1.0.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper permission handling. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of existing file permissions on systems running vulnerable versions to identify any sensitive data that may have been exposed. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper umask settings that restrict file permissions to appropriate levels, typically setting umask to 077 to ensure that newly created files are not readable by other users. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file access patterns and consider implementing file integrity monitoring to detect any modifications to sensitive data files. Security teams should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly identify and remediate similar permission-related vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment, as this type of flaw is commonly found in legacy applications that were not designed with modern security practices in mind.