CVE-2024-1932 in freescout
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type in freescout-helpdesk/freescout
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1932 represents a critical security flaw in the freescout-helpdesk/freescout open source helpdesk application where unrestricted file upload functionality permits users to upload files with potentially dangerous types. This issue stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the file upload process, allowing attackers to bypass security checks and potentially execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability falls under the category of unrestricted file uploads, which is classified as CWE-434 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, and specifically aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1195.001 for Upload Malicious File.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate file extensions, MIME types, or file contents during the upload process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading files with extensions such as .php, .jsp, .asp, or other server-side script formats that the application does not properly restrict. The vulnerability exists in the application's file handling logic where it accepts uploads without sufficient sanitization, allowing malicious files to be stored on the server and subsequently executed. This flaw enables attackers to achieve remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration depending on the server configuration and the type of malicious file uploaded.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1932 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire helpdesk systems and access sensitive customer data. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to support tickets, customer information, and system credentials stored within the helpdesk application. The threat actors can leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, deploy additional malware, or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised network environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where multiple organizations share the same helpdesk instance, as it could enable cross-tenant data breaches and privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1932 should focus on implementing comprehensive file upload validation mechanisms and following established security best practices. Organizations should enforce strict file type restrictions by maintaining allowlists of acceptable file extensions rather than denylists, implement proper MIME type checking, and validate file contents against known signatures. The application should employ multiple validation layers including client-side and server-side checks, implement proper file storage separation, and ensure that uploaded files are not directly executable. Security measures should include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict access controls, and regularly updating the freescout-helpdesk software to the latest patched versions. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security audits, implement proper logging and monitoring of file upload activities, and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing file upload vulnerabilities. The mitigation approach should align with NIST cybersecurity framework guidelines and follow the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.