CVE-2022-23940 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2022
SuiteCRM through 7.12.1 and 8.x through 8.0.1 allows Remote Code Execution. Authenticated users with access to the Scheduled Reports module can achieve this by leveraging PHP deserialization in the email_recipients property. By using a crafted request, they can create a malicious report, containing a PHP-deserialization payload in the email_recipients field. Once someone accesses this report, the backend will deserialize the content of the email_recipients field and the payload gets executed. Project dependencies include a number of interesting PHP deserialization gadgets (e.g., Monolog/RCE1 from phpggc) that can be used for Code Execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2022
CVE-2022-23940 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting SuiteCRM versions through 7.12.1 and 8.x through 8.0.1. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and unsafe deserialization practices within the Scheduled Reports module. The flaw specifically resides in how the system handles the email_recipients property, which accepts user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or validation. When authenticated users with access to the Scheduled Reports module create malicious reports containing crafted PHP deserialization payloads within the email_recipients field, they can potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability manifests when another user accesses the malicious report, triggering the backend deserialization process that executes the embedded payload. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-502 which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through report attachments. The attack chain begins with authentication and privilege escalation to the Scheduled Reports module, followed by crafting a malicious payload that exploits the PHP deserialization mechanism. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The use of PHP deserialization gadgets such as Monolog/RCE1 from phpggc demonstrates the sophistication of the attack vector, allowing threat actors to leverage existing PHP libraries for malicious purposes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond accessing the malicious report, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access scheduled reports. Organizations running affected SuiteCRM versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited by any authenticated user with access to the Scheduled Reports module, potentially including low-privilege accounts that should not have such capabilities. The security implications are compounded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in widely used CRM software, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. The affected versions represent a substantial portion of SuiteCRM deployments, increasing the attack surface and potential impact across numerous organizations. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in web applications, particularly when handling user-supplied data that may be serialized and later deserialized. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input validation, sanitization, and secure deserialization practices. Organizations should immediately patch to versions that address this vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing including static and dynamic analysis to identify similar deserialization flaws in other components of the application stack. Additionally, implementing proper monitoring and logging around report creation and access can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The incident demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality like scheduled reports can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented, emphasizing the importance of security-by-design principles in enterprise applications.