CVE-2019-14752 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SuiteCRM 7.10.x and 7.11.x has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
SuiteCRM versions 7.10.x and 7.11.x contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input within the web interface, where insufficient output encoding or sanitization permits malicious code to be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability affects the authentication and session management components of SuiteCRM, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. This issue represents a critical security risk as it can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SuiteCRM is used for customer relationship management and business operations. The XSS vulnerability can be leveraged to execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser, potentially leading to full compromise of user sessions and access to sensitive business data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get stored or reflected in the application's user interface, where they execute when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SuiteCRM's user interface handles various data inputs that are displayed to users, including contact information, activity logs, and custom fields. This creates multiple potential attack vectors where malicious scripts can be injected and executed. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented at every layer of web application development. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability affects both stored and reflected XSS scenarios, making it more versatile and dangerous than typical single-vector attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the SuiteCRM environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive customer data, modify business records, or even gain administrative privileges depending on the victim's access level. The attack surface is broad since SuiteCRM is commonly used for managing customer relationships, sales processes, and business operations, making it a valuable target for cybercriminals. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where customer data protection is mandatory. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including phishing emails, compromised web pages, or direct exploitation of the web application interface.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to SuiteCRM versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the affected versions 7.10.x and 7.11.x are no longer supported with security patches. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed. Security controls should include web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS attack patterns, as well as regular security assessments of the application's input handling processes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security training for administrators and users to recognize potential phishing attempts and social engineering attacks that may exploit this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 for Phishing and T1071 for Application Layer Protocol, indicating the multi-stage nature of exploitation that requires both initial access and subsequent privilege escalation. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent similar issues in the future.