CVE-2017-9839 in ERP CRM
Summary
by MITRE
Dolibarr ERP/CRM is affected by SQL injection in versions before 5.0.4 via product/stats/card.php (type parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-9839 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Dolibarr ERP/CRM software affecting versions prior to 5.0.4. This vulnerability specifically resides in the product/stats/card.php script where the type parameter is improperly handled, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution process. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a severe weakness that can lead to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive business information. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it targets the statistics and reporting functionality of the ERP system, which typically processes user inputs that may not be properly validated before database interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract confidential customer data, financial records, employee information, and business intelligence stored within the Dolibarr database. The vulnerability's presence in the product statistics module suggests that even routine administrative functions could be compromised, potentially allowing threat actors to manipulate or destroy business-critical data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or establish persistent access to the system while remaining undetected. The timing of this vulnerability in the product lifecycle is particularly dangerous as it affects widely deployed versions of the software, making numerous organizations susceptible to coordinated attacks targeting their ERP systems. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 which covers application layer protocol traffic inspection and manipulation, as attackers could use SQL injection to bypass application controls and directly access database resources.
Organizations utilizing Dolibarr ERP/CRM software must prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to version 5.0.4 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations to prevent SQL injection attacks. The mitigation strategy should also encompass implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include conducting comprehensive input validation testing, implementing proper database user permissions with least privilege principles, and establishing regular security audits of database queries and application code. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify SQL injection patterns and monitor for suspicious database access patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices across all application components, particularly in enterprise resource planning systems that handle sensitive business data. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other system components or third-party integrations.