CVE-2024-36412 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2024
SuiteCRM is an open-source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software application. Prior to versions 7.14.4 and 8.6.1, a vulnerability in events response entry point allows for a SQL injection attack. Versions 7.14.4 and 8.6.1 contain a fix for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-36412 affects SuiteCRM, a widely-used open-source customer relationship management platform that organizations rely on for business operations. This security flaw exists in the events response entry point of the application, representing a critical weakness that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability impacts versions prior to 7.14.4 and 8.6.1, making numerous deployments potentially vulnerable to attack. The affected entry point specifically handles event responses within the CRM system, which represents a core functionality area where users interact with calendar events, meeting scheduling, and related business operations. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited during routine user activities that involve event management.
The technical flaw manifests as a SQL injection vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through the events response endpoint. When users submit event responses or interact with event-related functionality, the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL commands. This lack of input validation creates an environment where malicious SQL commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the application's database user. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to database compromise. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the events response functionality is typically accessible to regular users within the CRM environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could result in complete system compromise and business disruption. Organizations using vulnerable SuiteCRM versions face potential exposure of customer data, employee information, financial records, and other sensitive business data stored within the CRM system. The attack could lead to unauthorized access to business communications, sales data, and strategic information that could be monetized or used for competitive advantage. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a direct path into the organization's customer relationship database, potentially enabling further attacks within the network. The exploitation could occur through automated scanning tools or manual attack techniques, making it accessible to threat actors of varying skill levels. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance issues if customer data is compromised, particularly in environments governed by privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application to versions 7.14.4 or 8.6.1, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the CRM system and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the root cause by introducing proper input validation and parameterized queries, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for SQL injection attacks. Additional defensive measures include implementing database activity monitoring, enforcing least privilege access controls, and conducting regular security training for administrators. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle database compromise scenarios, ensuring rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security controls across all application components.