CVE-2019-17298 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows SQL injection in the Administration module by a Developer user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17298 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the SugarCRM platform that affects versions prior to 8.0.4 and 9.0.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the Administration module and can be exploited by users with Developer privileges, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this customer relationship management system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the administrative interface, allowing authenticated attackers with developer-level permissions to inject malicious SQL commands into the application's database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of user-supplied input within the Administration module's backend processing. When a Developer user interacts with specific administrative functions, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape input parameters before incorporating them into SQL query constructions. This creates an environment where malicious SQL commands can be executed with the privileges of the application's database user, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to organizations using SugarCRM as their primary CRM solution. The requirement for Developer user privileges to exploit this flaw means that insider threats or compromised developer accounts could lead to severe data breaches. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive customer information, manipulate business data, or potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify system configurations, create backdoor accounts, or disrupt normal business operations through data corruption or deletion.
The exploitation of CVE-2019-17298 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers could use this vulnerability to move laterally within the database environment or establish persistent access through data manipulation. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions and ensure that only essential personnel maintain Developer privileges. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege enforcement within web applications, as the ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands should be restricted to users with explicit administrative need.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to versions 8.0.4 or 9.0.2 where the SQL injection flaws have been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation at multiple layers, database query parameterization, and comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities. Regular security assessments of web applications should include thorough testing of administrative interfaces for similar injection vulnerabilities. The remediation process should involve comprehensive user access reviews to ensure that Developer privileges are appropriately granted and monitored. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle potential database compromise scenarios, including forensic analysis capabilities and data recovery protocols.