CVE-2004-1606 in SalesLogix
Summary
by MITRE
slxweb.dll in SalesLogix 6.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial service (application crash) via an invalid HTTP request, which might also leak sensitive information in the ErrorLogMsg cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1606 affects the slxweb.dll component within SalesLogix 6.1, a customer relationship management application developed by SalesLogix. This issue represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can be exploited to compromise system availability and potentially expose sensitive data. The vulnerability manifests through the web interface component of the application, making it accessible to remote attackers who can leverage malformed HTTP requests to disrupt service operations. The affected system operates on the principle that user-supplied input is inherently untrusted, yet the application fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming requests before processing them within the web framework.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper error handling mechanisms when processing HTTP requests. Specifically, when the slxweb.dll component receives an invalid HTTP request, it does not adequately validate the request structure or content before attempting to process it. This lack of input sanitization creates a condition where malformed requests can cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it not only allows for denial of service attacks but also introduces information disclosure risks through the ErrorLogMsg cookie. When the application encounters an invalid request, it may populate this cookie with internal error information that could reveal system details, directory structures, or other sensitive operational data to an attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to repeatedly crash the application, effectively rendering the SalesLogix web interface unavailable to legitimate users and potentially disrupting business operations. The information disclosure aspect adds another layer of risk, as the ErrorLogMsg cookie could contain sensitive details about the application's internal workings, including file paths, system configurations, or error messages that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a significant security weakness in the application's defensive posture against malicious input.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability follows patterns commonly seen in the ATT&CK framework under the Initial Access and Execution phases, where attackers can leverage weak input validation to establish footholds within the system. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects all users who can access the web interface, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on SalesLogix 6.1 for business operations. Organizations should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malformed requests before they reach the vulnerable component. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling and the principle of least privilege in web application design, where error messages should not reveal internal system information to external users.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate attention through software updates or patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementation of defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Organizations should also consider conducting security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their SalesLogix deployment or related applications. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify input validation weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors. System administrators should monitor for unusual application behavior or error patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement appropriate logging and alerting mechanisms to detect potential attacks against the vulnerable component.