CVE-2024-8773 in SIMPLE.ERP
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2025
SIMPLE.ERP client is vulnerable to MS SQL protocol downgrade request from a server side, what could lead to an unencrypted communication vulnerable to data interception and modification.
This issue affect SIMPLE.ERP from 6.20 to 6.30. Only the 6.30 version received a patch [email protected], which make it possible for an administrator to enforce encrypted communication. Versions 6.20 and 6.25 remain unpatched.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8773 affects SIMPLE.ERP client software versions 6.20 through 6.30, presenting a significant security risk through protocol downgrade attacks that compromise encrypted communications. This flaw allows adversaries to manipulate the SQL communication protocol negotiation process, forcing the client to establish unencrypted connections with the server. The vulnerability specifically impacts the client-side implementation of SQL protocol handling, where the system fails to properly validate or enforce secure communication channels during the connection establishment phase.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient protocol version validation within the SIMPLE.ERP client software, creating an attack surface where malicious servers can initiate downgrade requests that force the client to abandon encryption mechanisms. This behavior aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms or protocols, and CWE-319, concerning the exposure of sensitive information through improper protocol handling. The flaw operates at the network protocol level where the client should enforce mandatory encryption but instead accepts downgrade requests from potentially compromised server components, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database communications are frequent and sensitive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to include potential data modification and man-in-the-middle attacks that could compromise entire database operations within the SIMPLE.ERP ecosystem. Attackers exploiting this weakness can eavesdrop on database communications, potentially accessing sensitive business data, user credentials, or financial information transmitted between the client and server components. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of database transactions, particularly concerning the authentication and authorization processes that rely on secure communication channels. This risk is amplified in environments where the SIMPLE.ERP client communicates with SQL servers over untrusted networks or when adversaries can position themselves between client and server communications, creating a persistent threat vector for data exfiltration and system compromise.
Organizations using SIMPLE.ERP versions 6.20 and 6.25 remain completely exposed to this vulnerability without any official patches available, while version 6.30 received a partial fix through patch 6.30a03.9 that enables administrators to enforce encrypted communication. This patch implementation addresses the core issue by providing configuration options that mandate encrypted connections, but it does not retroactively secure systems that were already compromised or operating in unpatched environments. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the 6.30a03.9 patch for affected systems, combined with network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential downgrade attempts. Security teams should also implement network traffic analysis to identify suspicious protocol negotiation patterns and consider enforcing mandatory encryption policies through network infrastructure controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against protocol-level attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential harvesting through network protocols, highlighting the multi-faceted attack surface this vulnerability exposes.