CVE-2020-8804 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE
SuiteCRM through 7.11.10 allows SQL Injection via the SOAP API, the EmailUIAjax interface, or the MailMerge module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8804 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting SuiteCRM versions through 7.11.10. This vulnerability manifests across multiple attack vectors including the SOAP API endpoints, EmailUIAjax interface, and the MailMerge module, creating a broad surface for potential exploitation. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within these components, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that can be executed against the underlying database system.
From a technical perspective the vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. The SOAP API interface likely processes external requests containing unvalidated parameters that get concatenated into database queries, while the EmailUIAjax component may accept malformed input through AJAX requests that bypass normal validation controls. The MailMerge module presents another attack surface where user-provided merge field data could be improperly handled during database operations. These attack vectors align with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities and represent common weaknesses in web application security frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and business-critical records from the SuiteCRM database. Attackers could also modify or delete database entries, potentially disrupting business operations and compromising data integrity. The vulnerability's presence across multiple modules means that a single exploitation attempt could potentially compromise various aspects of the application's functionality, from email management to document merging. Organizations using SuiteCRM in production environments face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies should begin with immediate application of the vendor-provided patches or updates that address the specific SQL injection vulnerabilities in the affected modules. Security teams should implement input validation controls at all entry points where user data is processed, particularly focusing on the SOAP API endpoints and AJAX interfaces. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input sanitization, which align with ATT&CK techniques focused on credential access and defense evasion. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.