CVE-2023-35811
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL code through the REST API due to missing input validation. It affects SugarCRM Enterprise versions before 11.0.6 and 12.x before 12.0.3, as well as other editions. Regular user privileges can be used for exploitation.
💻 Affected Systems
- SugarCRM Enterprise
- SugarCRM Professional
- SugarCRM Sell
- SugarCRM Serve
- SugarCRM Market
📦 What is this software?
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
Sugarcrm by Sugarcrm
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including data theft, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and potential remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the SugarCRM application.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation, parameterized queries, and database user privilege restrictions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit details and proof-of-concept code are publicly available. Requires authenticated user access but regular user privileges are sufficient.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Enterprise: 11.0.6 or 12.0.3; Other editions: Check vendor advisory
Vendor Advisory: https://support.sugarcrm.com/Resources/Security/sugarcrm-sa-2023-008/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your SugarCRM instance and database. 2. Download the appropriate patch from SugarCRM support portal. 3. Apply the patch following SugarCRM's update procedures. 4. Restart the application server. 5. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary REST API Restriction
allTemporarily disable or restrict access to the REST API endpoints until patching can be completed.
# Configure web server (Apache example) to block REST API access
# Add to .htaccess or virtual host configuration:
<LocationMatch "^/rest/v\d+">
Order deny,allow
Deny from all
# Allow only specific IPs if needed
# Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
</LocationMatch>
Database User Privilege Reduction
allReduce database user privileges to minimum required for application operation.
# MySQL example: Revoke unnecessary privileges
REVOKE ALL PRIVILEGES ON sugarcrm.* FROM 'sugarcrm_user'@'localhost';
GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON sugarcrm.* TO 'sugarcrm_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns in REST API requests
- Implement network segmentation to restrict database server access only to application servers
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SugarCRM version via Admin panel or by examining version files. For Enterprise: if version is <11.0.6 or 12.x <12.0.3, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
# Check SugarCRM version via CLI or file
cat /path/to/sugarcrm/sugar_version.php | grep 'sugar_version'Verify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify version shows 11.0.6+ or 12.0.3+ for Enterprise. Test REST API endpoints with SQL injection payloads to confirm they are blocked.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed REST API authentication attempts followed by successful access
- REST API requests containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, INSERT, etc.)
Network Indicators:
- Unusual database traffic patterns from application servers
- Large data transfers from database to unexpected sources
SIEM Query:
source="sugarcrm.logs" AND ("REST" AND ("SELECT" OR "UNION" OR "INSERT" OR "DELETE" OR "UPDATE"))🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174303/SugarCRM-12.2.0-SQL-Injection.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Aug/29
- https://support.sugarcrm.com/Resources/Security/sugarcrm-sa-2023-008/
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174303/SugarCRM-12.2.0-SQL-Injection.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Aug/29
- https://support.sugarcrm.com/Resources/Security/sugarcrm-sa-2023-008/
