CVE-2024-44644 identifies a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in PHPGurukul Small CRM version 3.0, specifically within the manage-tickets.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of user-supplied input in the frm_id and aremark parameters, which are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate validation or use of prepared statements. An attacker exploiting this flaw can inject malicious SQL code, potentially extracting sensitive information from the database, modifying or deleting records, or escalating privileges within the application. The absence of a CVSS score and public exploit code suggests this is a newly disclosed vulnerability. However, SQL Injection remains one of the most severe and commonly exploited web application vulnerabilities due to its ability to compromise data confidentiality and integrity. The vulnerability does not specify affected versions, but it is confirmed in Small CRM 3.0. No patches or official remediation guidance have been published yet, increasing the urgency for organizations to audit their code and implement defensive coding practices. The vulnerability could be exploited remotely if the manage-tickets.php interface is exposed to untrusted users, potentially without requiring authentication, depending on the deployment context. This increases the attack surface and risk profile for organizations using this CRM solution.

For European organizations, exploitation of this SQL Injection vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive customer and business data stored within the CRM, including personal identifiable information (PII), ticketing details, and internal notes. This compromises data confidentiality and may violate GDPR and other data protection regulations, leading to legal and financial penalties. Integrity of data could also be affected if attackers modify or delete records, disrupting business operations and customer service processes. Availability impact is less direct but possible if attackers execute destructive queries or cause database corruption. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) relying on PHPGurukul Small CRM for customer relationship management are particularly vulnerable, as they may lack robust security controls or dedicated IT security teams. The lack of patches increases the window of exposure, and the potential for automated exploitation tools in the future could amplify the threat. The reputational damage and operational disruption could be significant, especially for organizations handling sensitive or regulated data.

Immediate mitigation steps include conducting a thorough code review of the manage-tickets.php file focusing on the frm_id and aremark parameters. Implement strict input validation and sanitization, ensuring that only expected data types and formats are accepted. Replace dynamic SQL queries with parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent injection. Restrict access to the manage-tickets.php interface through network segmentation, VPNs, or IP whitelisting to limit exposure to untrusted users. Monitor application logs for suspicious query patterns or repeated failed attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. If possible, deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules targeting SQL Injection patterns to provide an additional layer of defense. Organizations should also prepare for patch deployment once the vendor releases an official fix and consider engaging with the vendor for timelines and support. Regular backups of CRM data should be maintained to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss.