CVE-2023-4198 in ERP CRM
Summary
by MITRE • 11/01/2023
Improper Access Control in Dolibarr ERP CRM <= v17.0.3 allows an unauthorized authenticated user to read a database table containing customer data
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4198 represents a critical improper access control flaw within Dolibarr ERP CRM versions up to and including v17.0.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the authorization mechanisms that govern database table access, creating a scenario where authenticated users who should not have access to certain customer data can bypass normal security controls and directly read sensitive information from database tables. The flaw exists in the application's privilege management system, where proper access validation checks are either missing or incorrectly implemented, allowing unauthorized data exposure through direct database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the application's backend database interaction layer. When authenticated users make requests to access customer data, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to access the specific database table in question. This weakness can be exploited through various means including direct API calls, SQL injection attempts, or by manipulating application parameters that control data access permissions. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in the principle of least privilege, where users with minimal access rights can escalate their privileges to read customer information that should be restricted to specific administrative roles or authorized personnel only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially leading to severe consequences for organizations using Dolibarr ERP CRM systems. Unauthorized access to customer data can result in privacy violations, regulatory compliance breaches, and potential financial losses due to data theft or misuse. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into customer demographics, financial information, communication records, and other sensitive business data that could be used for identity theft, fraud, or competitive intelligence gathering. The vulnerability affects organizations across various industries that rely on Dolibarr for customer relationship management, supply chain management, and business process automation, making it particularly concerning from a business continuity and security standpoint.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by Dolibarr developers, implementing additional access control layers at the database level, and conducting comprehensive security audits of user permissions and access controls. System administrators should review and tighten existing user roles and privileges, ensuring that proper principle of least privilege enforcement is implemented. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. Additional defensive measures should include database activity monitoring, implementing network segmentation, and establishing robust logging and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized database access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regularly review access control policies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.