CVE-2014-7986 in EspoCRM
Summary
by MITRE
install/index.php in EspoCRM before 2.6.0 allows remote attackers to re-install the application via a 1 value in the installProcess parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7986 resides within the installation component of EspoCRM version 2.5.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the application's integrity and deployment process. This issue affects the install/index.php file which serves as the primary entry point for the EspoCRM installation routine, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access or modification. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the installation framework, specifically failing to properly sanitize or validate the installProcess parameter that controls the installation workflow.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker submits a malicious request containing a 1 value in the installProcess parameter, which bypasses the normal installation sequence and permits a re-installation process to commence without proper authentication or authorization checks. This condition creates an unauthorized reinstallation path that allows remote attackers to overwrite existing installations, potentially leading to complete system compromise or service disruption. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) conditions where the application fails to validate that requests originate from legitimate sources. The implementation lacks proper access controls and authentication mechanisms during the installation phase, creating an exploitable condition that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform destructive operations on target systems. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to reinstall EspoCRM with malicious configurations, potentially injecting backdoors or altering system parameters during the installation process. The consequences include potential data loss, service interruption, and complete system compromise, particularly when the application is deployed in enterprise environments where EspoCRM serves as a critical business application. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized modifications to their CRM systems, which could result in data breaches, operational disruptions, and compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7986 require immediate patching of affected EspoCRM installations to version 2.6.0 or later, which addresses the validation weakness in the installation parameter handling. System administrators should implement network-level controls to restrict access to installation endpoints, particularly in production environments where such access should be strictly limited to authorized personnel only. The remediation process should include validating all input parameters through proper sanitization and implementing authentication checks before allowing any installation or reinstallation processes to proceed. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their EspoCRM deployments to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the installation or configuration processes, following the principles outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for application security. Regular security monitoring and access logging should be implemented to detect and respond to unauthorized installation attempts, while maintaining current security patches and updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other system components.