CVE-2009-3251 in vtiger
Summary
by MITRE
include/utils/ListViewUtils.php in vtiger CRM before 5.1.0 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and read the (1) visibility, (2) location, and (3) recurrence fields of a calendar via a custom view.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3251 represents a significant access control flaw within the vtiger CRM platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.1.0. This issue resides in the include/utils/ListViewUtils.php file and demonstrates a critical weakness in the software's authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the calendar functionality of the CRM system, where authenticated users can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive calendar data that should be restricted based on user permissions and visibility settings.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions within the calendar view functionality. When users access calendar data through custom views, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requesting user has appropriate authorization to access specific field-level information. This allows attackers to bypass the intended access controls and retrieve visibility settings, location details, and recurrence patterns of calendar events that should be restricted based on user roles or ownership permissions. The flaw specifically impacts the ListViewUtils.php component which handles the display and retrieval of list-based data views, making it a core component in the information disclosure chain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as calendar data often contains sensitive business information including meeting locations, event schedules, and recurring patterns that may reveal organizational structures, strategic planning, or confidential operational details. An attacker with authenticated access can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about business operations, employee schedules, and organizational workflows, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns. The exposure of recurrence fields particularly amplifies the risk as it reveals long-term scheduling patterns and organizational behavior that could be exploited for operational disruption or competitive intelligence gathering.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to vtiger CRM version 5.1.0 or later, where the access control restrictions have been properly enforced. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to CRM systems, enforcing strict role-based access controls, and conducting regular security audits of custom view configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and authorization checks in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data through user-facing interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation of similar access control bypass vulnerabilities.