CVE-2019-0285 in Crystal Reports for Visual Studio
Summary
by MITRE
The .NET SDK WebForm Viewer in SAP Crystal Reports for Visual Studio (fixed in version 2010) discloses sensitive database information including credentials which can be misused by the attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0285 resides within the SAP Crystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET SDK WebForm Viewer component, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that directly impacts the security posture of applications utilizing this reporting framework. This vulnerability specifically affects the WebForm Viewer functionality that enables developers to integrate Crystal Reports into their visual studio applications, creating a potential attack surface where sensitive database credentials and connection details can be exposed to unauthorized parties.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of database connection strings and credential information within the WebForm Viewer implementation. When applications utilize the affected Crystal Reports SDK components, the viewer component fails to adequately sanitize or secure database connection parameters, resulting in the exposure of sensitive information including username credentials, password values, and potentially host connection details. This occurs during the rendering process of reports that require database connectivity, where the viewer component inadvertently makes this information accessible through various means including direct data exposure or through error messages that reveal connection parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to backend database systems that applications rely upon for reporting purposes. The disclosed credentials can be immediately leveraged to establish direct database connections, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, modification of sensitive information, or even privilege escalation within the database environment. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise applications where Crystal Reports are commonly deployed for business intelligence and reporting purposes, often connecting to critical corporate databases containing financial, personal, or proprietary information.
Organizations utilizing SAP Crystal Reports for Visual Studio are strongly advised to implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to the fixed version 2010 or later, which addresses the credential disclosure issue through proper input validation and secure handling of database connection parameters. Additional protective measures should include network segmentation to limit access to database resources, implementation of database connection pooling with appropriate access controls, and regular monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper exposure of sensitive information, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566, representing credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of all applications using the affected Crystal Reports SDK components to identify potential exposure and implement appropriate access controls to minimize the attack surface.