CVE-2021-25960
📋 TL;DR
This is a CSV injection vulnerability in SuiteCRM that allows low-privileged attackers to inject malicious formulas into input fields. When an administrator exports account data as a CSV file and opens it, the payload executes, potentially leading to remote code execution. This affects SuiteCRM versions 7.11.18-7.11.19 and 7.10.29-7.10.31.
💻 Affected Systems
- SuiteCRM
📦 What is this software?
Suitecrm by Salesagility
Suitecrm by Salesagility
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution on administrator's machine when they open a malicious CSV file, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Data theft, privilege escalation, or malware execution on administrator's workstation when they open exported CSV files.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if CSV files are opened in sandboxed environments or with proper security software.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires low-privileged user access and administrator interaction with CSV exports.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 7.11.19 and 7.10.31
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/salesagility/SuiteCRM/security/advisories
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update SuiteCRM to version 7.11.20 or later, or 7.10.32 or later. 2. Apply the patches from the GitHub commits referenced in the CVE. 3. Verify the fix by checking that CSV exports properly sanitize formula characters.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
CSV Sanitization
allImplement server-side sanitization of CSV exports to escape formula characters.
Modify SuiteCRM CSV export functionality to prepend formula cells with single quote or escape special characters
Administrator Training
allTrain administrators to open CSV files in text-only editors or sandboxed environments.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict low-privileged user access to accounts module input fields
- Implement network segmentation to isolate SuiteCRM from critical systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SuiteCRM version via admin panel or by examining the application files. Versions 7.11.18-7.11.19 or 7.10.29-7.10.31 are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check SuiteCRM version in application configuration or via admin interfaceVerify Fix Applied:
Test CSV export functionality with formula injection payloads (e.g., starting cells with =, +, -, @) and verify they are properly escaped.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual CSV export activity from low-privileged accounts
- Multiple failed export attempts
Network Indicators:
- Large CSV file downloads from SuiteCRM by administrators
SIEM Query:
source="suitecrm" AND (event="csv_export" OR event="file_download") AND user_privilege="low"🔗 References
- https://github.com/salesagility/SuiteCRM/commit/7124482fe07ee164923d974456ed31e45f65e513
- https://github.com/salesagility/SuiteCRM/commit/f463031bee59676d7d5be53bb32d551cd70a5648
- https://www.whitesourcesoftware.com/vulnerability-database/CVE-2021-25960
- https://github.com/salesagility/SuiteCRM/commit/7124482fe07ee164923d974456ed31e45f65e513
- https://github.com/salesagility/SuiteCRM/commit/f463031bee59676d7d5be53bb32d551cd70a5648
- https://www.whitesourcesoftware.com/vulnerability-database/CVE-2021-25960
