CVE-2019-11201 in Dolibarr
Summary
by MITRE
Dolibarr ERP/CRM 9.0.1 provides a module named website that provides for creation of public websites with a WYSIWYG editor. It was identified that the editor also allowed inclusion of dynamic code, which can lead to code execution on the host machine. An attacker has to check a setting on the same page, which specifies the inclusion of dynamic content. Thus, a lower privileged user of the application can execute code under the context and permissions of the underlying web server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-11201 affects Dolibarr ERP/CRM version 9.0.1 and resides within its website module that enables users to create public websites using a WYSIWYG editor. This module presents a critical security flaw that allows for arbitrary code execution on the host server, representing a severe privilege escalation vulnerability. The issue stems from the editor's capability to process and execute dynamic code, which creates an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web application's content management functionality where users can create and modify website content through the graphical interface.
The technical flaw manifests through the website module's insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms. When users create or edit website content via the WYSIWYG editor, the system fails to properly filter or escape dynamic code elements that may be embedded within the content. This allows attackers to inject malicious code such as php scripts or other executable payloads that can be executed within the context of the web server. The vulnerability requires a specific configuration setting to be enabled on the same page that controls dynamic content inclusion, which means that an attacker must first identify and manipulate this setting to gain code execution capabilities. This particular requirement limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows a lower privileged user to execute code with the same permissions and context as the underlying web server. This means that an attacker who gains access to a user account with limited privileges can potentially escalate their access to the full server capabilities, including access to databases, file systems, and other applications running on the same server. The attack can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to the compromised environment. The vulnerability essentially transforms a standard user account into a system-level execution context, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Dolibarr for business-critical operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic code injection flaw that can be exploited to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, T1078 for valid accounts, and T1566 for malicious file execution. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the website module if not required, implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-generated content, and applying the latest security patches provided by Dolibarr. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of web server activities should be enhanced to detect suspicious code execution patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in web applications, particularly when handling user input in rich text editors and content management systems, and highlights the critical need for proper input validation and privilege separation mechanisms in enterprise software applications.