CVE-2022-27474 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2022
SuiteCRM v7.11.23 was discovered to allow remote code execution via a crafted payload injected into the FirstName text field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27474 affects SuiteCRM version 7.11.23 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that arises from improper input validation within the application's user management interface. This issue specifically targets the FirstName text field, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject crafted payloads that can ultimately lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper sanitization and validation mechanisms that should normally prevent arbitrary code execution through user input fields. Security researchers discovered that when a user submits a specially crafted FirstName value, the application fails to properly filter or escape the input before processing it, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute malicious commands on the underlying server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the FirstName field to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the web server process. This typically occurs through the injection of shell commands or script code that bypasses normal application security controls. The flaw operates under CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, indicating that the application fails to properly control the generation or execution of code based on user-supplied input. Attackers can potentially execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, which often corresponds to the system user running the SuiteCRM application. This presents a significant risk as the web server typically has access to database credentials, file system resources, and potentially network connectivity to other systems within the organization's infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk to organizations using SuiteCRM v7.11.23 as it allows attackers to gain complete control over the application server. The remote code execution capability enables threat actors to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify database contents, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. Organizations may experience data breaches, system downtime, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of data handled by SuiteCRM. The vulnerability also poses risks to business continuity as attackers can disrupt operations, modify critical business processes, or cause system instability through malicious code execution. Furthermore, the compromised system may be used to conduct lateral movement attacks against other network resources, amplifying the overall security impact beyond the initial compromised application.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates to address this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. The mitigation strategy should include implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their SuiteCRM installations to identify any potential unauthorized access or modifications that may have occurred. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, including unusual command execution or unauthorized database access attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation, ensuring that the web server process operates with minimal necessary permissions and access rights to reduce the attack surface and potential damage from successful attacks.