CVE-2009-2978 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in SugarCRM 4.5.1o and earlier, 5.0.0k and earlier, and 5.2.0g and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2978 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting multiple versions of the SugarCRM customer relationship management platform. This vulnerability exists within the authentication and data processing mechanisms of the software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The affected versions include SugarCRM 4.5.1o and earlier, 5.0.0k and earlier, and 5.2.0g and earlier, indicating a widespread impact across the product's release history. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 demonstrates its fundamental nature as an improper neutralization of special elements employed in an SQL command, which directly enables unauthorized database access and manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into SQL queries executed by the application's backend database. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious SQL code through unspecified vectors within the application's interface or API endpoints. These vectors typically involve form fields, URL parameters, or API request payloads where user input is directly concatenated into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or parameterization. The lack of input validation and proper query preparation mechanisms creates a scenario where database commands intended for legitimate operations can be subverted to execute arbitrary SQL statements, potentially allowing full database access, data exfiltration, or even database modification.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2978 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and business disruption. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, financial records, and proprietary business information stored within the SugarCRM database. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on web-based CRM solutions. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify user accounts, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in industries subject to data protection regulations such as healthcare or financial services.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by SugarCRM, which address the specific SQL injection vectors. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious database queries. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms must be strengthened throughout the application to prevent malicious SQL code from reaching database execution engines. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis.