CVE-2019-17302 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows PHP code injection in the ModuleBuilder module by a Developer user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17302 represents a critical PHP code injection flaw within the SugarCRM platform that affects versions prior to 8.0.4 and 9.0.2. This security weakness resides within the ModuleBuilder module, which is designed to allow developers to create and modify custom modules within the CRM system. The vulnerability specifically targets Developer user accounts, who possess elevated privileges within the application's permission structure. The flaw enables authenticated attackers with Developer-level access to inject malicious PHP code into the system, potentially compromising the entire platform and its underlying data infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization within the ModuleBuilder component. When a Developer user attempts to create or modify modules, the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing it as executable code. This creates a path for attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability is classified as a code injection flaw that aligns with CWE-94, which describes the execution of arbitrary code or commands due to insufficient input validation. The attack vector specifically leverages the ModuleBuilder's functionality to manipulate module definitions and metadata, where user input is directly incorporated into the system without proper security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using SugarCRM, particularly those with multiple Developer users or those that do not strictly enforce least privilege principles. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any user with Developer access rights, which are often granted to internal developers or system administrators. This weakness undermines the principle of least privilege and creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for lateral movement within the network.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions of SugarCRM 8.0.4 or 9.0.2, which contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, security controls should enforce strict access controls for Developer user accounts, limiting their privileges to only necessary functions. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior in the ModuleBuilder module. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP injection highlights the need for comprehensive application security testing and input validation controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of user permissions and access controls are essential to prevent unauthorized users from gaining Developer privileges, which would be required to exploit this vulnerability effectively.