CVE-2021-43851 in Time Tracker
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2021
Anuko Time Tracker is an open source, web-based time tracking application written in PHP. SQL injection vulnerability exist in multiple files in Time Tracker version 1.19.33.5606 and prior due to not properly checking of the "group" and "status" parameters in POST requests. Group parameter is posted along when navigating between organizational subgroups (groups.php file). Status parameter is used in multiple files to change a status of an entity such as making a project, task, or user inactive. This issue has been patched in version 1.19.33.5607. An upgrade is highly recommended. If an upgrade is not practical, introduce ttValidStatus function as in the latest version and start using it user input check blocks wherever status field is used. For groups.php fix, introduce ttValidInteger function as in the latest version and use it in the access check block in the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2021
The CVE-2021-43851 vulnerability affects Anuko Time Tracker, a widely-used open source web-based time tracking application developed in PHP. This security flaw represents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that undermines the application's data integrity and potentially exposes sensitive organizational information. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied input through POST requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The affected version 1.19.33.5606 and prior releases contain this flaw across multiple files, making it a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident within the codebase.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation in two primary parameters: "group" and "status". The group parameter is transmitted during navigation between organizational subgroups through the groups.php file, while the status parameter is utilized across multiple files to modify entity statuses such as projects, tasks, or user accounts. Both parameters fail to undergo proper sanitization or validation before being incorporated into database queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which describes SQL injection flaws where insufficient validation of user input permits database command injection attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to organizational time tracking data, manipulate user permissions, and compromise the integrity of the entire time tracking system. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive information about employees, projects, and time entries, potentially leading to privacy violations and unauthorized access to business-critical data. The vulnerability's presence in multiple files increases the attack surface and makes it more challenging to fully remediate without comprehensive code review. Organizations using this time tracking system face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where time tracking data may contain personally identifiable information or business-sensitive details.
The vulnerability has been addressed in version 1.19.33.5607, which implements proper input validation functions including ttValidStatus and ttValidInteger. These functions provide the necessary sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent malicious input from being processed as database commands. Security practitioners should prioritize upgrading to the patched version as the primary mitigation strategy, as this approach addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. For organizations unable to perform immediate upgrades, temporary workarounds include implementing the ttValidStatus function in all user input validation blocks where the status parameter is processed, and introducing the ttValidInteger function in the access check blocks of groups.php. These mitigations align with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which addresses legitimate credentials and privilege escalation through proper input validation and sanitization. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review to identify and address similar input validation gaps that may exist in other parts of the application, ensuring adherence to secure coding practices and preventing similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.