CordysCRM SQL Injection (CVE-2025-70981)

Security Advisory: Critical SQL Injection Vulnerability in CordysCRM

Overview

A critical security vulnerability has been identified in CordysCRM version 1.4.1. This flaw allows an attacker to perform a SQL Injection attack through a specific feature of the application. In simple terms, the system does not properly check or sanitize user-supplied input before using it to query its database. This enables a malicious actor to inject and execute unauthorized database commands.

The vulnerability is located in the employee list query interface, accessible at the /user/list endpoint, specifically via the departmentIds parameter.

Vulnerability Details

Type: SQL Injection (CWE-89) CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical) Attack Vector: Network Complexity: Low Privileges Required: None User Interaction: None

An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending a specially crafted request to the vulnerable endpoint. Because the departmentIds parameter is not properly validated, an attacker can append malicious SQL code to it. This code is then executed by the database server. No prior authentication is required, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous.

Potential Impact

The impact of a successful exploit is severe and can lead to:

• Full Database Compromise: Attackers can read, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the database, including employee records, internal documents, and potentially user credentials.
• Authentication Bypass: An attacker could manipulate queries to log in as any user, including administrators.
• System Takeover: In some scenarios, SQL Injection can be used as a stepping stone to execute commands on the underlying server, leading to a complete system compromise.
• Data Breach & Compliance Violations: Exposure of sensitive personal data (PII) can result in regulatory fines (like GDPR) and significant reputational damage.

Remediation and Mitigation

Immediate Action Required:

1. Apply a Patch or Upgrade: Contact the CordysCRM vendor immediately to inquire about an official security patch for version 1.4.1. If a patched version (e.g., 1.4.2 or later) is available, schedule an upgrade as soon as possible after testing in a non-production environment.

2. Temporary Mitigation (If Patching is Delayed):

   • Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy or update rules on your WAF to block SQL Injection patterns targeting the /user/list endpoint and the departmentIds parameter.
   • Input Validation: If you have direct access to the application code, implement strict allow-list input validation for the departmentIds parameter. It should only accept expected formats (e.g., a comma-separated list of numbers). All other input should be rejected.
   • Network Segmentation: Restrict network access to the CordysCRM application to only trusted users and IP addresses where absolutely necessary.

General Best Practice: Ensure all future development uses parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions. This is the most effective defense against SQL Injection and should be mandated in your organization’s secure coding standards.

Note: This advisory addresses CVE-2025-70981. Systems running CordysCRM 1.4.1 should be considered at high risk until remediated.