CVE-2025-54788 Overview
CVE-2025-54788 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SuiteCRM, an open-source enterprise Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application maintained by SalesAgility. The flaw resides in the InboundEmail module, which permits arbitrary execution of queries against the backend database. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can manipulate query parameters to read, modify, or delete data across the CRM database. The issue impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of stored business data, including customer records and authentication material. SalesAgility resolved the issue in SuiteCRM version 7.14.7.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries through the InboundEmail module, enabling full extraction, modification, or destruction of CRM database contents.
Affected Products
- SuiteCRM versions prior to 7.14.7
- SalesAgility SuiteCRM InboundEmail module
- Self-hosted SuiteCRM deployments on the 7.14.x branch
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-07 - CVE-2025-54788 published to NVD
- 2025-08-14 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-54788
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified as SQL Injection under [CWE-89], Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. The InboundEmail module in SuiteCRM accepts user-controlled input that is concatenated into SQL statements without sufficient parameterization or sanitization. An authenticated user with access to the module can inject SQL syntax that the backend database executes alongside the intended query.
Because SuiteCRM stores sensitive business data, including contacts, leads, opportunities, and user credentials, query manipulation yields direct access to confidential records. Attackers can pivot from data exfiltration to integrity attacks by issuing UPDATE or DELETE statements, or by inserting privileged accounts to maintain persistence.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input neutralization in the InboundEmail module code path. User-supplied parameters reach the database layer without being bound as prepared statement parameters, allowing attacker-controlled SQL fragments to alter query semantics. The fix in version 7.14.7 introduces proper input handling for the affected query construction.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to a SuiteCRM instance and authenticated, low-privilege credentials. No user interaction is required. An attacker submits a crafted HTTP request to the InboundEmail endpoint containing SQL metacharacters in a vulnerable parameter. The backend database parses the injected payload, returning data in responses or modifying state as directed by the attacker. The vulnerability mechanism is described in the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-v3m9-8wg7-c72x.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54788
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to InboundEmail module endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as UNION, SELECT, --, or encoded equivalents in parameter values.
- Database query logs showing unexpected UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or multi-statement queries originating from the SuiteCRM application user.
- Unexplained creation of administrative SuiteCRM accounts or modifications to the users table outside normal change windows.
- Outbound data transfers from the SuiteCRM web server immediately following authenticated requests to InboundEmail.
Detection Strategies
- Enable database query logging and alert on syntactically unusual queries originating from the SuiteCRM service account.
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that inspects requests to InboundEmail for SQL injection patterns.
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent high-volume database read activity from the same session.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Audit SuiteCRM access logs daily for low-privileged accounts interacting with the InboundEmail module.
- Monitor for new or modified administrator accounts and unexpected role assignments within SuiteCRM.
- Track schema enumeration attempts against the SuiteCRM database, including queries referencing information_schema.tables or information_schema.columns.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54788
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade SuiteCRM to version 7.14.7 or later as documented in the SuiteCRM Release Notes 7.14.7.
- Rotate credentials for all SuiteCRM users and the database service account if compromise is suspected.
- Review SuiteCRM user and role tables for unauthorized administrative accounts created prior to patching.
- Restrict network access to the SuiteCRM application to trusted sources until the upgrade is complete.
Patch Information
SalesAgility addressed CVE-2025-54788 in SuiteCRM 7.14.7. The patch corrects the unsafe query construction in the InboundEmail module. Administrators should follow the standard SuiteCRM upgrade procedure and verify the version string after deployment. Refer to the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-v3m9-8wg7-c72x for the full advisory.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the InboundEmail module by limiting user roles that can interact with email administration features.
- Place SuiteCRM behind a web application firewall configured to block SQL injection signatures targeting CRM endpoints.
- Apply the principle of least privilege to the database account used by SuiteCRM so that destructive statements are constrained where feasible.
# Verify SuiteCRM version after upgrade
grep "'sugar_version'" /var/www/suitecrm/sugar_version.php
# Expected output should reference 7.14.7 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
