CVE-2019-14966 in Frappe
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Frappe Framework 10 through 12 before 12.0.4. There exists an authenticated SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14966 represents a critical authenticated SQL injection flaw within the Frappe Framework version 10 through 12 before 12.0.4. This framework serves as the foundation for ERPNext and other business applications, making the impact of this vulnerability substantial across multiple enterprise environments. The flaw resides in the application's handling of user input within database query construction processes, specifically when authenticated users interact with certain API endpoints or administrative functions. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database engine. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate database queries through authenticated sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying database contents, or even executing arbitrary commands on the underlying database server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user context, meaning that adversaries must first establish valid credentials to the Frappe-based application before attempting to leverage the SQL injection. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities but does not eliminate the serious security implications. The flaw typically manifests when user-supplied data is directly concatenated or interpolated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. The affected versions of Frappe Framework contain specific code paths where input validation is insufficient, allowing malicious payloads to bypass normal input filtering mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically impacts the framework's query building components and may affect various modules including user management, data reporting, and administrative functions that interact with the database layer. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious input parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable code, result in unintended SQL command execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-14966 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing Frappe Framework versions within the affected range face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments where database servers are accessible. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where ERPNext applications handle sensitive financial, customer, and operational data. Depending on the database configuration and access controls, attackers might escalate privileges to gain administrative access to database systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform data exfiltration, modify critical business records, or inject malicious code that could persist across system restarts. Organizations running applications built on this framework may experience compliance violations and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14966 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Frappe Framework 12.0.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the SQL injection vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize applying the official security patches released by the Frappe development team and verify the integrity of the updates through cryptographic checksums or digital signatures. Additional protective measures include implementing robust input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, enforcing proper parameterized queries for all database interactions, and establishing network segmentation to limit database server access. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Frappe-based applications to identify any custom code that might be susceptible to similar injection vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring capabilities for detecting potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and strengthen authentication mechanisms, implement account lockout policies for failed login attempts, and conduct regular security audits to ensure proper configuration of database access controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage, and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, highlighting the potential for both command execution and data exfiltration attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.