CVE-2011-5213 in BrowserCRM
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in BrowserCRM 5.100.01 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) login[username] parameter to index.php, (2) parent_id parameter to modules/Documents/version_list.php, or (3) contact_id parameter to modules/Documents/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5213 represents a critical security flaw in BrowserCRM version 5.100.01 and earlier systems, exposing multiple pathways for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted input parameters. This vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks as defined by CWE-89, which specifically addresses the improper handling of SQL command structures in applications. The affected components include the core authentication mechanism and document management modules, making this a particularly dangerous flaw that could compromise the entire system's data integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors that leverage different parameters within the application's codebase. The first vector targets the login[username] parameter in the index.php file, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication process by injecting malicious SQL code that could bypass login mechanisms or extract sensitive user credentials. The second vector exploits the parent_id parameter in modules/Documents/version_list.php, where unfiltered input could be used to manipulate document version retrieval and potentially access unauthorized document repositories. The third vector targets the contact_id parameter in modules/Documents/index.php, enabling attackers to manipulate contact data queries and potentially extract confidential customer information. These attack vectors demonstrate a lack of proper parameter validation and the absence of prepared statement usage, which are fundamental security measures recommended by OWASP and the ATT&CK framework for preventing SQL injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5213 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive customer information. Attackers could potentially gain administrative privileges, modify or delete critical business data, and establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects not just individual user accounts but could compromise the entire customer relationship management database, exposing personal information, business communications, and financial data. Organizations running affected BrowserCRM versions face significant regulatory compliance risks, particularly under data protection laws such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, which mandate robust security controls to protect sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning because these vulnerabilities exist in core application functions that are frequently accessed by both legitimate users and potential attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5213 must address the fundamental architectural issues that enabled the vulnerability to exist in the first place. Organizations should immediately upgrade to BrowserCRM versions that have patched these SQL injection vulnerabilities, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures is essential, including the adoption of parameterized queries and prepared statements that prevent user input from being interpreted as SQL commands. The application should employ proper output encoding and implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, while access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of sensitive parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SQL query patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK techniques that focus on credential access and defense evasion through database manipulation.