CVE-2019-17294 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows SQL injection in the export function by a Regular user.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
SugarCRM versions prior to 8.0.4 and 9.x prior to 9.0.2 contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability within the export functionality that can be exploited by regular users. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The flaw exists in how the system processes user input during export operations, where insufficient validation and sanitization of parameters allows maliciously crafted input to be directly incorporated into SQL queries executed by the database backend. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate database queries and potentially extract sensitive information, modify data, or even execute arbitrary commands depending on the database system in use. The impact is particularly concerning because regular users can exploit this without requiring administrative privileges, making it a significant escalation of privilege vulnerability. The vulnerability specifically affects the export function which is commonly used by users to generate reports and data exports, making it a frequently accessed feature that increases the attack surface. This weakness enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and perform unauthorized database operations through the application's user interface. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it does not require elevated privileges and can be executed through standard user accounts, potentially allowing for data exfiltration or database manipulation. Organizations using affected SugarCRM versions should prioritize patching as this vulnerability can lead to complete database compromise. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which involves network service scanning. This SQL injection vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing such attacks. The affected versions represent a critical security gap that allows unauthorized data access and manipulation through legitimate application functions. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple release lines indicates a systemic issue in the application's security architecture. Security teams should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and access controls to prevent exploitation while awaiting official patches. The presence of this vulnerability in the export functionality suggests that similar issues may exist in other data processing components of the application.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within the export module. When users initiate export operations, the application fails to properly sanitize or parameterize input parameters before incorporating them into database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through crafted export parameters that are then executed by the database engine. The vulnerability's classification as CWE-89 highlights the fundamental flaw in how the application processes structured query language commands. Regular users can exploit this through the application's standard user interface, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional security controls. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through normal application usage patterns, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Database administrators should monitor for unusual query patterns and implement proper logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects both major release lines of SugarCRM, indicating that the security flaw was not properly addressed in the development lifecycle. This type of vulnerability often results from insufficient security testing during development phases and inadequate input validation mechanisms. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions as additional protective measures. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in data breaches, data corruption, and potential system compromise. Security professionals should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other application components. The patching process for this vulnerability requires careful testing to ensure that legitimate export functionality remains operational while addressing the security flaw. This case represents a typical example of how insufficient security controls in commonly used application features can create significant risks for organizations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access, potentially allowing for complete database compromise through the exploitation of SQL injection techniques.