CVE-2004-1228 in Sugar Sales
Summary
by MITRE
The install scripts in SugarCRM Sugar Sales 2.0.1c and earlier are not removed after installation, which allows attackers to obtain the MySQL administrative password in cleartext from an installation form, or to cause a denial of service by changing database settings to the default.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1228 represents a critical security flaw in the SugarCRM Sugar Sales 2.0.1c and earlier versions that stems from improper post-installation cleanup procedures. This weakness allows unauthorized individuals to access sensitive administrative credentials and potentially disrupt system operations through deliberate configuration modifications. The issue manifests specifically within the installation framework where essential cleanup scripts fail to execute properly, leaving behind accessible installation components that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the installation process design where administrative scripts and forms remain accessible post-deployment. When users complete the installation process, the system should automatically remove or disable these temporary components that contain sensitive information including MySQL administrative passwords stored in clear text format. However, in affected versions, these installation artifacts persist and can be accessed through web interfaces, exposing critical database credentials that attackers can immediately utilize for unauthorized database access or system compromise. This design flaw directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-778, which addresses insufficient logging or monitoring of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass potential denial of service conditions and complete system compromise. Attackers can exploit the persistent installation forms to not only extract the MySQL administrative password but also modify database configuration parameters to default values, effectively disrupting database connectivity and rendering the application non-functional. This dual threat capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it enables both information disclosure and service disruption attacks simultaneously. The persistence of these installation components creates an attack surface that remains open long after the initial installation should be complete, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper system hardening.
From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various means including web application exploitation. The clear text storage of database credentials in accessible installation forms represents a classic example of poor information protection practices that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical sophistication. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper post-installation security hardening and the need for automated cleanup procedures that ensure temporary administrative components are properly removed from production environments.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to patched versions of SugarCRM, implementation of proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to installation directories, and thorough review of all installation artifacts post-deployment. Organizations should also implement automated security scanning to identify persistent installation components and ensure proper cleanup procedures are executed. Additionally, database credential management should be reviewed to ensure that administrative passwords are not stored in clear text format within web-accessible locations, aligning with NIST SP 800-53 security controls that emphasize secure configuration management and credential protection. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper post-installation security procedures and the necessity of automated cleanup mechanisms to prevent persistent security weaknesses in enterprise applications.