CVE-2004-1608 in SalesLogix
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in SalesLogix 6.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL statements via the id parameter in a view operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1608 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in SalesLogix 6.1, a customer relationship management platform developed by Sage. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input during view operations, specifically targeting the id parameter that is commonly used to retrieve and display specific records. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through the vulnerable parameter, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely deployed enterprise application, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the SalesLogix application's query processing mechanism. When the application receives the id parameter through a view operation, it directly incorporates this user-supplied data into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This primitive approach to database interaction creates an avenue for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness that occurs when an application fails to properly escape or validate user input before including it in SQL commands. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system, and the impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise and data manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1608 is substantial for organizations running affected SalesLogix versions, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, data deletion, and potentially full database compromise. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract sensitive customer information, manipulate business data, or even gain access to other systems within the database network. The vulnerability's presence in a CRM system particularly amplifies the risk, as CRM databases typically contain highly sensitive business and customer information. From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability also creates compliance and regulatory risks, as organizations may be subject to data protection laws and industry standards that require robust database security controls. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects standard view operations, meaning that any user with access to the application's interface could potentially exploit this flaw.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems and data. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being included in database operations. This approach aligns with the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and follows the defensive programming practices recommended by security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any additional weaknesses in the system architecture, and application updates or patches should be applied as soon as vendor-provided fixes become available. The remediation process should also include security training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future application development cycles, addressing the root cause of the vulnerability through improved software development practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for database attack techniques.