CVE-2019-17305 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows PHP code injection in the MergeRecords module by a Regular user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17305 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 MergeRecords module, which is a core functionality designed to consolidate duplicate records within the CRM system. The vulnerability's significance lies in its accessibility to regular users rather than requiring administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by malicious actors who have gained access to standard user accounts.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the MergeRecords module's processing logic. When regular users attempt to merge records, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into PHP execution contexts. This oversight creates an environment where maliciously crafted input can be interpreted as executable PHP code rather than mere data, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary PHP commands that execute within the web server's context. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" as attackers could leverage this to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire CRM infrastructure. Regular users who can exploit this vulnerability gain the capability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, which could lead to data exfiltration, system compromise, or the installation of backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that CRM systems typically contain sensitive business data, customer information, and potentially intellectual property, making successful exploitation highly valuable to threat actors. Organizations using affected versions face the risk of unauthorized access to their entire customer database, which could result in regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17305 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SugarCRM installations to versions 8.0.4 or 9.0.2 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting user permissions and implementing proper input validation at multiple layers within the application. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual PHP execution patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves enhanced sanitization of user inputs within the MergeRecords module and proper escaping of data before it is processed in PHP execution contexts. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews of similar modules to identify potential injection points and implement the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities. Compliance with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework should be maintained to ensure comprehensive protection against similar code injection vulnerabilities.