CVE-2017-1000120 in Frappe
Summary
by MITRE
[ERPNext][Frappe Version <= 7.1.27] SQL injection vulnerability in frappe.share.get_users allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the fields parameter.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The CVE-2017-1000120 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the frappe framework version 7.1.27 and earlier, specifically affecting erpnext applications that utilize this backend. This vulnerability exists within the frappe.share.get_users function which handles user sharing permissions within the application. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the fields parameter, allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate sql queries through crafted input. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any user with valid credentials can potentially execute malicious sql commands against the underlying database. This creates a significant risk for organizations where user access controls may be compromised or where privileged accounts are compromised.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the fields parameter in the frappe.share.get_users api endpoint. When an authenticated user submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject additional sql commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account used by the application. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack vector that can potentially lead to data exfiltration, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and in severe cases complete database compromise. The attack can be executed without requiring special privileges beyond legitimate user access, making it particularly insidious for organizations with weak access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it can enable attackers to gain deeper access to the application infrastructure and potentially escalate privileges within the system. Organizations running affected versions of erpnext and frappe are at risk of unauthorized data access, modification of critical business information, and potential disruption of business operations. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on the frappe framework for user sharing functionality, which is fundamental to most erpnext deployments. This creates a widespread risk across enterprise environments where erpnext is deployed for financial management, inventory control, and other critical business processes. The vulnerability can be exploited to extract sensitive financial data, customer information, and business intelligence that could be monetized or used for competitive advantage.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to frappe version 7.1.28 or later where this vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and parameterized query execution. The fix involves implementing proper input sanitization and ensuring that all user-provided parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into sql queries. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while monitoring for unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 application layer protocol tunneling and T1046 network service scanning. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper input validation controls across all application interfaces that handle user data. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be prioritized to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of the application stack.