CVE-2013-2091 in ERP CRM
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Dolibarr ERP/CRM 3.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the 'pays' parameter in fiche.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2091 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Dolibarr ERP/CRM version 3.3.1 that exposes the application to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the 'pays' parameter within the fiche.php script, which serves as a crucial interface for managing contact and company information within the enterprise resource planning system. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. This weakness allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can be executed within the context of the database connection, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern where attackers manipulate the 'pays' parameter to inject malicious SQL payloads that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain shell access to the underlying server. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software that occurs when user input is improperly filtered or escaped before being used in database queries. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the SANS Institute's Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Errors. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any attacker with knowledge of the target system's URL structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive business information. Organizations using Dolibarr ERP/CRM 3.3.1 face potential exposure of customer data, financial records, employee information, and proprietary business intelligence. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire database system, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or establish persistent access to the network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Dolibarr is commonly used by small to medium enterprises for critical business operations, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the vulnerability for financial gain or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also creates potential for cascading security issues, as compromised systems can serve as launching points for further attacks within the organization's network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2091 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Dolibarr version 3.4.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations that address the SQL injection vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also implementing proper input sanitization routines that filter out potentially dangerous characters and sequences. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include comprehensive staff training on secure coding practices and vulnerability management procedures, aligning with NIST SP 800-34 and ISO 27001 security framework requirements to ensure ongoing protection against similar threats.