CVE-2019-25664: SuiteCRM SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25664 Overview

CVE-2019-25664 is a time-based SQL injection vulnerability affecting SuiteCRM 7.10.7. The vulnerability exists in the record parameter of the Users module DetailView action, allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries. By appending malicious SQL code to the record parameter in GET requests to the index.php endpoint, attackers can extract sensitive database information through time-based blind SQL injection techniques.

Critical Impact

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

Affected Products

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

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-05 - CVE-2019-25664 published to NVD
• 2026-04-07 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25664

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command) occurs due to insufficient input validation in the Users module of SuiteCRM. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the record parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows authenticated users to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are executed against the backend database.

Time-based blind SQL injection is particularly insidious because it doesn't rely on visible error messages or direct data output. Instead, attackers infer information by measuring the database server's response time to specially crafted queries. When the injected SQL condition evaluates to true, the database delays its response (using functions like SLEEP() in MySQL), allowing attackers to systematically extract data one character at a time.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper input sanitization and parameterized queries in the Users module's DetailView action handler. The record parameter value is directly concatenated into SQL queries without adequate escaping or the use of prepared statements. This fundamental secure coding oversight enables SQL injection attacks.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploited through the network by sending malicious HTTP GET requests to the index.php endpoint. An authenticated attacker can craft requests targeting the Users module's DetailView action with a manipulated record parameter containing SQL injection payloads.

The attack leverages time-based inference techniques where the attacker injects conditional SQL statements that cause measurable delays when certain conditions are true. For example, an attacker might inject code that causes a 5-second delay if the first character of an admin password hash equals a specific value. By systematically testing each character position, the attacker can reconstruct sensitive data from the database.

Typical exploitation targets include the index.php endpoint with parameters specifying module=Users and action=DetailView, where the record parameter becomes the injection point for time-based blind SQL payloads.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25664

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP GET requests to index.php with the Users module and DetailView action containing SQL syntax in the record parameter
• Database query logs showing SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), or WAITFOR DELAY functions in queries originating from the web application
• Abnormally slow response times for specific requests to the CRM application
• Authentication logs showing repeated access to user detail pages with varying record parameter values

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in URL parameters
• Monitor database query logs for time-delay functions commonly used in blind SQL injection attacks
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on requests containing SQL keywords in unexpected parameters
• Enable detailed application logging and review for suspicious parameter values

Monitoring Recommendations

• Set up real-time alerting for database queries exceeding normal execution times
• Monitor HTTP access logs for patterns indicative of automated SQL injection tools
• Implement database activity monitoring to track and alert on unusual query patterns
• Review application error logs for database-related exceptions that may indicate injection attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25664

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade SuiteCRM to the latest stable version that addresses this vulnerability
• Restrict network access to the SuiteCRM application to trusted IP ranges where possible
• Review and audit user accounts with access to the Users module
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules
• Enable database query logging and monitoring for suspicious activity

Patch Information

Administrators should upgrade to a patched version of SuiteCRM. The latest releases can be obtained from the SuiteCRM Download Page. Review the VulnCheck SuiteCRM SQL Injection Advisory for additional technical details. An exploit demonstrating this vulnerability is documented in Exploit-DB #46311.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) configured to block SQL injection attempts targeting the record parameter
• Implement additional input validation at the web server level using ModSecurity or similar tools
• Restrict access to the Users module DetailView action to only essential administrative accounts
• Consider implementing database-level prepared statement enforcement where supported
• Temporarily disable or restrict access to the affected module until a patch can be applied

If immediate patching is not possible, implementing a reverse proxy with SQL injection filtering rules can provide temporary protection. Configure the filter to sanitize or reject requests containing SQL syntax in the record parameter of requests to the Users module.