CVE-2015-5947 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SuiteCRM before 7.2.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5947 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting SuiteCRM versions prior to 7.2.3. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's core components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's handling of user-supplied data within certain parameters, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper validation of input parameters that are processed by the SuiteCRM application. Attackers can craft malicious requests that exploit weaknesses in the application's data processing routines, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where SuiteCRM is exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects core application functionality, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and execute commands with the same permissions as the web application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing SuiteCRM as their customer relationship management platform. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify business records, or disrupt operations entirely. The vulnerability affects not only the CRM functionality but also the underlying server infrastructure, potentially compromising the entire network ecosystem. Organizations running affected versions face the risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and substantial financial losses due to potential system downtime and recovery costs.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-5947 primarily involve immediate patching of affected SuiteCRM installations to version 7.2.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the SuiteCRM application, while strict firewall rules should be configured to restrict unnecessary external access. Regular security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement comprehensive backup strategies and incident response procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper validation of input, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection, emphasizing the critical nature of timely patch management and access control measures.