CVE-2019-25663: SuiteCRM SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25663 Overview

SuiteCRM 7.10.7 contains a SQL injection vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting SQL code through the parentTab parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to the email module with malicious parentTab values using boolean-based SQL injection techniques to extract sensitive database information.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive database information, potentially compromising customer data, credentials, and other confidential business information stored in the CRM system.

Affected Products

• SuiteCRM version 7.10.7
• Earlier versions of SuiteCRM 7.x may also be affected

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-05 - CVE CVE-2019-25663 published to NVD
• 2026-04-07 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25663

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) affects the email module in SuiteCRM 7.10.7. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of the parentTab parameter in GET requests, allowing authenticated users to inject arbitrary SQL commands into database queries. The boolean-based blind SQL injection technique enables attackers to systematically extract database contents by observing application responses to true/false conditions embedded in malicious queries.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means that any authenticated user with network access to the SuiteCRM instance can potentially exploit it. The attack requires low privileges, making it accessible to any user with a valid account on the system.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and sanitization of the parentTab parameter before it is incorporated into SQL queries. The application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input, allowing malicious SQL syntax to be interpreted as part of the query structure rather than as literal data. This represents a classic SQL injection flaw where trust is placed in user-controlled input without adequate validation.

Attack Vector

The attack is executed via network-based GET requests to the SuiteCRM email module. An authenticated attacker crafts malicious values for the parentTab parameter containing SQL injection payloads. Using boolean-based blind SQL injection techniques, the attacker can infer database contents character by character based on the application's responses. This method allows extraction of sensitive data including user credentials, customer information, and system configuration details without requiring direct database access.

The attacker sends requests in the following pattern: legitimate requests to the email module with the parentTab parameter modified to include SQL logic operators and conditional statements. The application's response behavior reveals whether the injected condition evaluated to true or false, enabling systematic data exfiltration.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25663

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual GET requests to the SuiteCRM email module containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, AND, OR, UNION, or SELECT keywords in the parentTab parameter
• Repeated requests to the same endpoint with incrementally modified parameter values indicating automated exploitation attempts
• Database query logs showing malformed or suspicious queries originating from the email module

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in HTTP parameters
• Monitor application logs for requests containing SQL metacharacters in the parentTab parameter
• Deploy database activity monitoring to identify unusual query patterns or data extraction attempts
• Use SentinelOne Singularity XDR to detect behavioral anomalies associated with SQL injection exploitation

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the SuiteCRM email module to capture all parameter values
• Configure database audit logging to track queries executed against sensitive tables
• Set up alerts for high-frequency requests to the email module from single user sessions
• Review authentication logs for accounts exhibiting suspicious activity patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25663

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade SuiteCRM to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability
• Implement input validation and parameterized queries at the application level if source code modifications are possible
• Deploy web application firewall rules to filter SQL injection attempts
• Restrict network access to the SuiteCRM instance to trusted IP ranges where feasible

Patch Information

SuiteCRM users should upgrade to a patched version that addresses this SQL injection vulnerability. Visit the SuiteCRM Software Download page to obtain the latest secure release. Review the VulnCheck SuiteCRM SQL Injection Advisory for detailed remediation guidance. Additional technical details are available at Exploit-DB #46310.

Workarounds

• Implement a web application firewall with SQL injection detection rules to filter malicious requests before they reach the application
• Restrict access to the email module for users who do not require it, reducing the potential attack surface
• Monitor and audit user sessions for suspicious parameter manipulation patterns
• Consider network segmentation to limit access to the CRM system from untrusted network segments

# Example WAF rule for blocking SQL injection in parentTab parameter
# ModSecurity rule example
SecRule ARGS:parentTab "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:1001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    msg:'SQL Injection attempt detected in parentTab parameter',\
    log,\
    auditlog"