CVE-2024-29185 in freescout
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2024
FreeScout is a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Versions prior to 1.8.128 are vulnerable to OS Command Injection in the /public/tools.php source file. The value of the php_path parameter is being executed as an OS command by the shell_exec function, without validating it. This allows an adversary to execute malicious OS commands on the server. A practical demonstration of the successful command injection attack extracted the /etc/passwd file of the server. This represented the complete compromise of the server hosting the FreeScout application. This attack requires an attacker to know the `App_Key` of the application. This limitation makes the Attack Complexity to be High. If an attacker gets hold of the `App_Key`, the attacker can compromise the Complete server on which the application is deployed. Version 1.8.128 contains a patch for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
FreeScout represents a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox solution that has been identified with a critical operating system command injection vulnerability in versions prior to 1.8.128. This vulnerability exists within the /public/tools.php source file where the php_path parameter is processed without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands through the shell_exec function, creating a severe security risk for affected deployments. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS Command Injection flaws in software applications. The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates how unvalidated user input flows directly into system execution functions, bypassing all security controls and validation mechanisms that should normally protect the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as demonstrated by the successful exploitation that extracted the complete /etc/passwd file from the compromised server. This level of access represents complete system compromise, allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The attack requires knowledge of the application's App_Key, which significantly increases the attack complexity and makes this a high-effort vulnerability to exploit. This requirement for the App_Key parameter serves as a partial defense mechanism but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as application keys can be compromised through various attack vectors including insecure configuration management, credential exposure in logs, or social engineering attacks. The vulnerability classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of operating system commands through application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through the upgrade to FreeScout version 1.8.128 or later, which contains the necessary patch to address the input validation issue. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures throughout their applications, particularly for parameters that may be processed through system execution functions. The implementation of proper access controls and secure configuration management practices can help prevent unauthorized access to application keys and other sensitive configuration elements. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to application interfaces. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit access to critical application components, regular security audits of application configurations, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious command injection attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of validating all user inputs and the dangerous consequences of executing system commands without proper sanitization checks.