CVE-2007-3603 in vtiger
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the dashboard (include/utils/SearchUtils.php) in vtiger CRM before 5.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the assigned_user_id parameter in a Potentials ListView action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2021
The CVE-2007-3603 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the vtiger customer relationship management system that existed prior to version 5.0.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the dashboard functionality and resides within the SearchUtils.php file located in the include/utils directory. The flaw manifests when authenticated users access the Potentials ListView through the index.php endpoint, making it a server-side injection vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors who have already gained access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the assigned_user_id parameter within the Potentials ListView functionality. When users interact with the dashboard to view potential business opportunities, the system fails to properly escape or validate the assigned_user_id parameter before incorporating it into sql queries. This parameter is directly used in sql construction without appropriate sanitization measures, creating an environment where malicious input can be interpreted as sql code rather than simple data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, but once exploited, it provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the underlying database. According to the CWE database, this corresponds to CWE-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high severity vulnerability that can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3603 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate business data, modify user permissions, and potentially gain access to sensitive customer information. Since vtiger CRM is commonly used for managing customer relationships and business opportunities, the exploitation of this vulnerability could result in significant financial and reputational damage to organizations. Attackers could modify deal values, change ownership assignments, or even delete critical business data through the injected sql commands. The vulnerability also provides a potential foothold for further attacks within the organization's network, as compromised database credentials could be used to access other systems that share similar authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 application layer protocol and T1566 credential access, demonstrating how authenticated access can be leveraged to escalate privileges and access sensitive data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to vtiger CRM version 5.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the sql injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected SearchUtils.php file would prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of sql queries can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing proper security coding practices, particularly when handling user input in database operations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attacks and similar vulnerabilities.