CVE-2024-36413: SuiteCRM Reflected Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability and Mitigation
CVE-2024-36413: SuiteCRM Reflected Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability and Mitigation
CVE-2024-36413 refers to a critical security vulnerability discovered in the open-source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software application, SuiteCRM. Identified by the CVE identifier CVE-2024-36413, this vulnerability allows for a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attack, primarily affecting the import module error view.
First reserved on 2024-05-27 and subsequently published on 2024-06-10, this vulnerability has garnered considerable attention due to its high base severity score of 8.9 according to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3.1. The underlying issue is classified under CWE-79, denoting Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
According to the CVE details, the affected SuiteCRM versions include:
- Versions < 7.14.4
- Versions >= 8.0.0 and < 8.6.1
This cross-site scripting vulnerability essentially enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's session on the web application. Such exploits can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, or even defacement of websites.
Mitigation Strategies
Mitigating the CVE-2024-36413 vulnerability involves several critical steps:
1. Update to the Latest Version
The most effective measure to counteract this vulnerability is to upgrade your SuiteCRM installations to the latest patched versions. The vendor, SalesAgility, has addressed this issue in versions 7.14.4 and 8.6.1. Consequently, ensure that all instances running impacted versions are updated immediately.
2. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)
Implementing a Web Application Firewall can help in detecting and blocking malicious traffic which seeks to exploit XSS vulnerabilities. Filtering out harmful inputs at the application level serves as an additional layer of defense.
3. Apply Content Security Policies (CSP)
Establishing strict Content Security Policies can reduce the risk of XSS attacks by defining approved sources of content that can be executed on the web pages.
4. Input Validation and Output Encoding
Ensure robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms to neutralize hazardous data before incorporating it into web pages. This step is crucial in preventing the inclusion of malicious scripts within the application's output.
5. User Education and Training
Educate users about the potential risks associated with reflected XSS attacks and the importance of browsing in secure environments. User vigilance can often prevent successful exploitation attempts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CVE-2024-36413 presents a high-severity risk to SuiteCRM users. Effective mitigation demands prompt updates to the recommended versions and the implementation of multiple layers of security controls. By following the outlined strategies, organizations can significantly reduce the exposure to cross-site scripting attacks and safeguard their sensitive information.
For more detailed information, refer to the advisory on the official GitHub page: GHSA-ph2c-hvvf-r273.
