CVE-2005-2867 in BlueWhaleCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in BlueWhaleCRM allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Account ID field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The CVE-2005-2867 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in BlueWhaleCRM software, a customer relationship management platform that was widely deployed in enterprise environments during the mid-2000s. This vulnerability resides within the application's input validation mechanisms and specifically targets the Account ID field, which serves as the primary identifier for customer accounts within the system. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through the Account ID parameter, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls that should protect sensitive data. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their CRM systems to external users or internet-facing services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the BlueWhaleCRM application's backend processing logic. When users submit data through the Account ID field, the application fails to properly escape or validate special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure. This lack of proper parameter binding or input filtering creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL payloads that get executed by the database engine. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially gaining access to sensitive customer information, financial records, or proprietary business data stored within the CRM system.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2867 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying database infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands that can enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, modify customer records, or even gain shell access to the database server itself. Organizations using BlueWhaleCRM were particularly vulnerable because the application was often deployed in environments where it handled sensitive customer information, making the potential data breach impact severe. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need to be physically present or have network access to the organization's internal systems, allowing for widespread exploitation from anywhere on the internet. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and makes it difficult for organizations to detect and prevent such attacks, as they may appear as legitimate user activity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2867 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches or updates that address this vulnerability, as BlueWhaleCRM was likely updated to include proper input sanitization and parameter binding mechanisms. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to ensure that user input is properly escaped before being processed by the database engine. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns in real-time traffic. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit database access to only necessary application components. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure, as this vulnerability type remains one of the most commonly exploited weaknesses in web applications according to the OWASP Top Ten project and ATT&CK framework categorization of database attacks. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental security controls that should be implemented at the design phase of all software development projects.