CVE-2025-26241 in osTicket
Summary
by MITRE • 05/05/2025
A SQL injection vulnerability in the "Search" functionality of "tickets.php" page in osTicket <=1.17.5 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the "keywords" and "topic_id" URL parameters combination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2026
This vulnerability resides within the osTicket help desk system version 1.17.5 and earlier, where the search functionality in the tickets.php page presents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers to perform SQL injection attacks. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the keywords and topic_id URL parameters, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter sanitization within the search implementation, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. This represents a direct violation of CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as authenticated attackers can leverage the SQL injection to escalate privileges, extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands within the application. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, it limits the attack surface to users who already possess valid credentials, but this does not diminish its severity given that legitimate users with access rights could be compromised through credential theft or insider threats. The attack vector operates through standard web request manipulation where an attacker crafts malicious URL parameters containing SQL payloads that bypass the application's input filtering mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting web application interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first authenticate to the osTicket system, then navigate to the tickets.php page and manipulate the keywords and topic_id parameters to inject malicious SQL code. The vulnerability affects the database interaction layer where user-provided search parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameter binding. This flaw represents a classic case of improper input handling where the application fails to implement proper database query parameterization or input validation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized database access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper database interaction patterns, particularly in web applications where user input directly influences database operations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the osTicket system to version 1.17.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and database-level protections. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual search patterns or database access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls such as least privilege access, which would limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks.