CVE-2020-8784 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SuiteCRM 7.10.x versions prior to 7.10.23 and 7.11.x versions prior to 7.11.11 allow SQL Injection (issue 2 of 4).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2020
SuiteCRM versions prior to 7.10.23 and 7.11.11 contain a critical sql injection vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation within the application's database query construction mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of user-supplied parameters in database operations, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands through carefully crafted input fields. The flaw resides in the application's parameter binding and query building logic, where certain user inputs are directly concatenated into sql statements without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This vulnerability is classified under cwe-89 sql injection as it permits unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure and potential data exfiltration. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute administrative commands, escalate privileges, and potentially gain full control over the application's database layer. Attackers typically exploit this weakness by manipulating form inputs, api endpoints, or url parameters that are processed by the vulnerable sql query construction methods. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially allowing unauthorized users to bypass security controls and access sensitive information. This flaw aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack framework under initial access and privilege escalation categories, specifically targeting the application layer to compromise database integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where SuiteCRM serves as a central repository for customer data, financial records, and other sensitive business information. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize immediate patching to prevent exploitation, as sql injection vulnerabilities of this nature often remain undetected for extended periods and can be leveraged for prolonged unauthorized access. The security implications extend to compliance requirements under standards such as pci dss and gdpr, where unauthorized database access could result in significant regulatory penalties and data breach notifications. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in their application environments. Additionally, network segmentation and database access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust application security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Proper code review processes and automated security testing should be integrated into development workflows to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.