CVE-2018-7193 in osTicket
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in /scp/directory.php in Enhancesoft osTicket before 1.10.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "order" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The CVE-2018-7193 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Enhancesoft osTicket support ticketing system affecting versions prior to 1.10.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the /scp/directory.php endpoint, which serves as a directory listing interface for administrators managing support tickets. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's response. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the "order" parameter through maliciously crafted HTTP requests, enabling them to inject arbitrary HTML code or JavaScript payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw operates at the application layer where user input flows directly into the application's output generation without adequate security controls. When the application processes the "order" parameter and incorporates it into the directory.php page without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding, it creates an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the browser context of authenticated users. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which encompasses command and scripting interpreter execution, specifically targeting web-based attack vectors through browser-based scripting.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to administrative interfaces and potentially escalate privileges within the support system. An attacker who successfully injects malicious JavaScript code can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, modifying ticket contents, or even gaining full administrative control of the osTicket system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire support infrastructure, as any user with access to the directory.php endpoint could become a vector for broader attacks. The remote nature of the exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on web-based ticketing systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to osTicket version 1.10.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied parameters, applying output encoding techniques, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS patterns. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on parameter handling within directory and listing functions, implement content security policies to limit script execution, and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous user behavior or unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output sanitization in preventing web-based attacks, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can be exploited to cause significant damage to organizational infrastructure and data integrity.