CVE-2015-5948 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in SuiteCRM before 7.2.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2015-5947.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5948 represents a critical race condition flaw in SuiteCRM versions prior to 7.2.3 that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability emerged as an incomplete remediation for CVE-2015-5947, demonstrating how partial fixes can leave systems exposed to continued exploitation. The race condition occurs during specific file operations within the application's core functionality, creating a temporal window where malicious actors can manipulate system states to achieve unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms during file handling operations within SuiteCRM's framework. When the application processes certain user inputs or performs administrative tasks, it creates temporary files or modifies system resources without adequate locking mechanisms. This temporal inconsistency allows attackers to exploit the window between file creation and validation, enabling them to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be triggered through web-based interfaces, making it particularly dangerous for remote exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2015-5948 can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized administrative control over SuiteCRM installations, potentially affecting thousands of users depending on the deployment size. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive for automated attack campaigns. Organizations using vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected SuiteCRM installations to version 7.2.3 or later, as this update contains the complete remediation for both CVE-2015-5947 and CVE-2015-5948. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to SuiteCRM systems, monitoring for suspicious file operations and unauthorized code execution attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which catalogs race conditions as a common class of software flaws that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized access. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation, persistence, and execution through web shells, making it a critical target for defensive security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and web application security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific flaw.