CVE-2018-16809 in Dolibarr
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Dolibarr through 7.0.0. expensereport/card.php in the expense reports module allows SQL injection via the integer parameters qty and value_unit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16809 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Dolibarr ERP/CRM platform version 7.0.0 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the expense reports module, specifically within the expensereport/card.php script that handles expense report data management. The vulnerability manifests when integer parameters qty and value_unit are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer. Dolibarr, a widely-used open-source business management software, serves organizations across various sectors including manufacturing, services, and public administration, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the sensitive financial data typically processed through such platforms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of integer parameters within the expense report module interface. When users input values for quantity and unit value fields, these parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper parameterization or input sanitization mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that append additional SQL commands to the existing query structure, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive database information, modify financial records, or even escalate privileges within the system. This type of injection vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level where financial transaction data is stored, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of organizational expense records.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access. Organizations using Dolibarr versions prior to 7.0.1 face significant risks including unauthorized modification of expense reports, data exfiltration of financial information, and potential disruption of business operations. The expense reporting module typically contains sensitive information such as employee expenses, vendor payments, and budget allocations that could be manipulated to create fraudulent claims or hide unauthorized expenditures. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited through web interface interactions, making it accessible to attackers without requiring deep technical knowledge of the underlying system architecture. The risk is compounded by the fact that Dolibarr is commonly deployed in environments where financial data integrity is paramount, and the exploitation could lead to compliance violations under various regulatory frameworks including SOX, GDPR, or industry-specific financial standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16809 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Dolibarr installations to version 7.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for parameter validation and input sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that enforce strict data type checking for integer parameters, ensuring that only legitimate numeric values are processed through the expense report module. Database access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to limit the privileges of application users, particularly those interacting with financial data. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries in the affected code sections provides a robust defense mechanism against SQL injection attacks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in expense report submissions that might indicate attempted exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patched version maintains full functionality while eliminating the SQL injection vector, following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.