CVE-2019-17306 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows PHP code injection in the Configurator module by an Admin user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-17306 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 in the Configurator module, which is a core administrative component designed to manage system configurations and settings. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative user interface where authorized administrators can modify various system parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative privileges to execute malicious code. The flaw enables an authenticated administrator to inject arbitrary PHP code into the system, potentially allowing full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the Configurator module's parameter handling mechanisms. When administrators interact with configuration settings through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing it as PHP code. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed within the context of the web server process, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of allowing code injection attacks, and specifically manifests as a PHP code injection vulnerability that operates at the application layer. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input parameters that get interpreted and executed as PHP code, potentially leading to remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-17306 extends beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges and persistent access to the target system. An authenticated administrator who is compromised or who gains administrative credentials through other means can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This allows attackers to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even escalate privileges to gain root access on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability also enables attackers to maintain persistence within the organization's CRM infrastructure, making detection and remediation more challenging. Organizations using affected versions of SugarCRM face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to customer information, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, and government where CRM systems contain sensitive personal and financial data.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2019-17306 requires immediate patching of all affected SugarCRM installations to versions 8.0.4 or 9.0.2 and later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to only trusted personnel, reducing the attack surface for privilege escalation. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative accounts have minimal necessary permissions and that regular audit trails are maintained for all configuration changes. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their CRM environments, including code reviews and penetration testing, to identify potential similar vulnerabilities in other components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and code injection techniques, emphasizing the need for layered defenses including network monitoring, anomaly detection, and regular security awareness training for administrative users to prevent unauthorized access to administrative accounts.