CVE-2008-2045 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in SugarCRM Sugar Community Edition 4.5.1 and 5.0.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full path in the URL parameter to modules/Feeds/Feed.php, which places the contents into a related cache file in the .cache/feeds directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2045 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within SugarCRM Community Edition versions 4.5.1 and 5.0.0. This issue stems from insufficient input validation in the Feed.php module which processes URL parameters without proper sanitization, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability specifically affects the modules/Feeds/Feed.php endpoint where user-supplied path information is directly incorporated into cache file operations within the .cache/feeds directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of URL parameters that are passed to the Feed.php script. When an attacker provides a full path in the URL parameter, the application processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms. The system then uses this unvalidated path to create or modify cache files in the .cache/feeds directory, effectively allowing arbitrary file access. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal attacks, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve files they should not be able to access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data stored on the server. The cached files created in the .cache/feeds directory may contain not only the originally requested files but also potentially sensitive data from the application's internal operations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges, gather intelligence about the application's architecture, or extract database connection strings that could lead to further compromise of the entire system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Databases and T1083 for File and Directory Discovery, as it enables both data exfiltration and reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2045 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Feed.php module. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to patched versions of SugarCRM Community Edition. The implementation of proper path validation should include absolute path resolution checks, directory traversal prevention measures, and input sanitization routines that reject or filter out malicious path sequences. Additionally, restricting file access permissions on the .cache/feeds directory and implementing proper access controls can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual file access patterns can provide additional layers of defense. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts, particularly those targeting known vulnerable endpoints within CRM applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all user-controllable parameters, especially those that interact with file system operations.