CVE-2026-76899 in CordysCRM
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2026
CordysCRM is an open source AI-powered customer relationship management system that supports private deployment. From 1.7.0 until 1.7.4, POST /account-pool/page allows an authenticated caller with MODULE_SETTING_UPDATE to place an arbitrary database function in SortRequest.name because CustomerPoolController.page omits Spring request validation, SortRequest.getName relies on an incomplete blacklist, and the CommonMapper.xml sort fragment inserts ${sortName} into an ORDER BY clause. Functions such as extractvalue and updatexml bypass the blacklist and can expose database values through an error oracle when the query returns at least one row. This issue is fixed in version 1.7.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2026
CordysCRM, an open-source customer relationship management system with private deployment capabilities, contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability within its account pool page functionality. The flaw exists in versions ranging from 1.7.0 through 1.7.3 and is located specifically at the POST /account-pool/page endpoint. This vulnerability allows authenticated users who possess the MODULE_SETTING_UPDATE permission to inject arbitrary database functions into the SortRequest.name parameter. The root cause of this issue lies in the CustomerPoolController.page method, which fails to implement proper Spring request validation mechanisms for incoming sort parameters. Instead of relying on strict allowlists or robust input sanitization, the system depends on an incomplete blacklist approach within the SortRequest.getName function. This defensive strategy is fundamentally flawed because blacklists are inherently difficult to maintain and easily bypassed by attackers using alternative syntaxes that were not explicitly blocked.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves manipulating the sort order parameter to inject SQL code into the ORDER BY clause of a database query executed via CommonMapper.xml. The application directly interpolates the user-supplied sortName variable into the SQL statement without adequate escaping or type checking. While basic alphanumeric characters and common keywords are filtered, sophisticated attackers can utilize specific XML parsing functions such as extractvalue and updatexml to circumvent these filters. These database-specific functions trigger error-based responses when executed against invalid XPath expressions or malformed data structures. By carefully crafting the input to cause a deliberate SQL syntax error that includes sensitive database content in the resulting error message, an attacker can leverage this behavior as an oracle. This technique allows for the extraction of arbitrary data from the underlying database, effectively turning what appears to be a sorting feature into a powerful data exfiltration vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly given that it requires authentication and specific module permissions rather than being fully unauthenticated. However, the ability to perform error-based SQL injection means that an attacker with access to the MODULE_SETTING_UPDATE role can read sensitive information stored in the database, including user credentials, customer data, or internal system configurations. This represents a significant breach of confidentiality and integrity within the CRM environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. Furthermore, from a tactical perspective, this exploitation technique maps to ATT&CK T1059.004, specifically the use of SQL commands for unauthorized access and data extraction via application layer attacks. The reliance on error messages for data retrieval also corresponds to techniques often associated with blind or time-based injection variants where side-channel information is leaked through system responses.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations running CordysCRM versions prior to 1.7.4 must upgrade immediately to version 1.7.4 or later, which addresses the issue by implementing proper input validation and preventing arbitrary function execution in sort parameters. For systems that cannot be upgraded instantly, administrators should enforce strict role-based access control to limit who holds the MODULE_SETTING_UPDATE permission, thereby reducing the attack surface. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall with rulesets capable of detecting SQL injection patterns, particularly those involving extractvalue or updatexml functions, can provide an additional layer of defense. It is also recommended to review database user privileges to ensure that the application account does not have excessive permissions beyond what is strictly necessary for its operation, limiting the potential damage even if a successful exploitation occurs.