CVE-2017-18486 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jitbit Helpdesk before version 9.0.3 is vulnerable to an authentication bypass issue that allows attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting a weak pseudorandom number generator.

Understanding CVE-2017-18486

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Jitbit Helpdesk that enables attackers to elevate their privileges through a specific parameter manipulation.

What is CVE-2017-18486?

The vulnerability in Jitbit Helpdesk prior to version 9.0.3 allows attackers to increase their privileges by mishandling the User/AutoLogin userHash parameter. By exploiting this weakness, attackers can gain unauthorized access and perform actions as other users.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18486

The vulnerability permits attackers to retrieve the shared secret used by the server for remote authentication, enabling them to create new tokens for any user and automatically log in as the targeted user, thereby escalating their privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18486

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the mishandling of the User/AutoLogin userHash parameter in Jitbit Helpdesk before version 9.0.3, allowing attackers to exploit a weak PRNG to recover the shared secret used for remote authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jitbit Helpdesk
Versions affected: Prior to 9.0.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can inspect the token value in a password reset link to leverage the weak PRNG and obtain the shared secret used for remote authentication.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18486 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jitbit Helpdesk to version 9.0.3 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive areas of the application.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review the application's security mechanisms.
Implement strong authentication and authorization controls.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Jitbit Helpdesk to address known vulnerabilities.