CVE-2019-17316 in SugarCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SugarCRM before 8.0.4 and 9.x before 9.0.2 allows PHP object injection in the Import module by a Regular user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-17316 represents a critical PHP object injection flaw discovered in SugarCRM versions prior to 8.0.4 and 9.x versions prior to 9.0.2. This security weakness resides within the Import module of the CRM system, which is commonly used for data ingestion and management. The vulnerability specifically allows regular users to exploit a design flaw that enables arbitrary PHP object deserialization, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who might not possess administrative privileges. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the import functionality, which processes user-supplied data without adequate security controls. This flaw operates under CWE-502, which classifies it as a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability, a category that frequently leads to remote code execution when exploited properly. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as regular users can trigger the vulnerability through normal import operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious user uploads or imports a specially crafted file that contains serialized PHP objects. When the system processes this import, it deserializes the malicious objects without proper validation, allowing the attacker to inject arbitrary PHP code that executes within the context of the web application. This process bypasses normal access controls and authentication mechanisms, as the vulnerability exists at the data processing layer rather than the authentication layer. The impact is amplified because SugarCRM typically runs with elevated privileges to perform database operations, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify database records, or establish persistent backdoors within the organization's CRM environment. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as the execution of malicious PHP code can be used to spawn command shells or execute system commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-17316 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be used to gain deeper access to organizational systems. Organizations using affected SugarCRM versions face significant risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability allows attackers to access customer information, financial records, and other sensitive business data stored within the CRM system. The attack surface is further expanded because CRM systems often contain interconnected data that may be used for further attacks within the enterprise network. Security teams must consider that this vulnerability could be used as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks, potentially leading to lateral movement and access to other systems within the organization. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements, as organizations may fail to meet data protection standards such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss due to unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to versions 8.0.4 or 9.0.2, as these releases contain fixes for the deserialization vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation, restricting import functionality to trusted users only, and monitoring import activities for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly in modules that process external data, as it highlights how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when proper sanitization controls are absent.