CVE-2019-17313 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows directory traversal in the Studio module by a Developer user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17313 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the SugarCRM platform that affects versions prior to 8.0.4 and 9.0.2. This security weakness specifically targets the Studio module, which is designed for developers to customize and modify the CRM system's functionality. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper path handling within the file management components of the application's development interface. A malicious user with Developer privileges can exploit this flaw to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system compromise, or further escalation of privileges.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input when processing file paths within the Studio module. When a Developer user interacts with the module's file management features, the application fails to properly validate or filter the requested file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables an attacker to access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and potentially system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing SugarCRM versions affected by CVE-2019-17313. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as attackers can potentially gain access to database connection strings, encryption keys, and other sensitive configuration data stored within the application's file system. The fact that this vulnerability requires only Developer user privileges makes it particularly concerning since such accounts are typically granted elevated permissions within the application. Attackers could leverage this access to extract business-critical data, modify application behavior, or establish persistent access points within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as attackers can systematically explore the file system to identify valuable targets.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that resolve the directory traversal issue in SugarCRM versions 8.0.4 and 9.0.2. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's file handling components can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit Developer user privileges to only necessary resources, following the principle of least privilege. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify potential path traversal vulnerabilities in custom modules or third-party integrations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns in real-time, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts.