CVE-2026-33289 in SuiteCRM
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
SuiteCRM is an open-source, enterprise-ready Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software application. Prior to versions 7.15.1 and 8.9.3, an LDAP Injection vulnerability exists in the SuiteCRM authentication flow. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before embedding it into the LDAP search filter. By injecting LDAP control characters, an unauthenticated attacker can manipulate the query logic, which can lead to authentication bypass or information disclosure. Versions 7.15.1 and 8.9.3 patch the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-33289 represents a critical LDAP injection flaw within SuiteCRM, a widely deployed open-source customer relationship management platform that serves enterprise organizations. This security weakness affects versions prior to 7.15.1 and 8.9.3, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on SuiteCRM's authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the LDAP authentication flow where user-provided credentials are processed without adequate input sanitization, exposing the system to malicious manipulation through carefully crafted LDAP control characters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user input within the LDAP search filter construction process. When users attempt authentication, their input is directly incorporated into LDAP queries without proper escaping or filtering of special LDAP control characters such as parentheses, asterisks, or other metacharacters that could alter the query structure. This design flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious LDAP syntax that modifies the intended query logic, potentially enabling unauthorized access to the system or extraction of sensitive directory information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can significantly compromise organizational security posture. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, gaining unauthorized access to SuiteCRM instances without legitimate credentials. Additionally, the injection capability may enable information disclosure attacks where attackers can extract user accounts, directory structures, or other sensitive data from the underlying LDAP directory service. The impact extends beyond simple access control as this vulnerability can facilitate broader reconnaissance activities and potentially serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The remediation approach for CVE-2026-33289 requires immediate deployment of patches to versions 7.15.1 and 8.9.3, which contain the necessary input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive testing procedures to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing LDAP configurations or authentication workflows. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their SuiteCRM installations to verify that all affected versions have been properly updated and that no unauthorized access attempts have occurred during the vulnerability window. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-94 weakness related to improper control of generation of code, specifically within the context of LDAP injection attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential access through the exploitation of authentication bypass mechanisms, while also potentially supporting lateral movement activities through information disclosure capabilities that could reveal additional system access points and user credentials within the LDAP directory structure.