CVE-2000-0137 in CartIT
Summary
by MITRE
The CartIt shopping cart application allows remote users to modify sensitive purchase information via hidden form fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2026
The CVE-2000-0137 vulnerability affects the CartIt shopping cart application, representing a classic example of insecure direct object reference and insufficient input validation flaws. This vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of form fields that are intended to remain hidden from end users. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate purchase information by directly modifying form fields that should be protected from user tampering. The vulnerability exists at the application logic level where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before processing sensitive transactions. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles that require proper access control and input validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical business data. The issue is particularly concerning in e-commerce environments where financial transactions and customer data integrity are paramount.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of hidden form fields that contain sensitive purchase information such as product prices, quantities, or customer details. When users can modify these fields through browser inspection tools or direct HTTP request manipulation, they gain the ability to alter transaction values without proper authorization. This represents a failure in the application's data validation and access control mechanisms, where the system trusts client-side data without proper server-side verification. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP request modification or by using browser developer tools to inspect and alter form elements before submission. This flaw aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and CWE-20 which covers improper input validation. The attack vector operates at the application layer where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed by the backend systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0137 extends beyond simple data modification to encompass potential financial loss, data integrity compromise, and regulatory violations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to manipulate transaction amounts, potentially leading to unauthorized refunds or fraudulent purchases. The vulnerability creates an environment where malicious actors can systematically alter purchase orders, customer records, and pricing information without detection. This type of vulnerability can result in significant financial losses for businesses and may violate payment card industry standards such as PCI DSS requirements for secure transaction processing. The vulnerability also represents a breach of customer trust and can lead to legal consequences under various data protection regulations. Organizations using CartIt or similar applications face potential exposure to fraud schemes where attackers can repeatedly exploit this flaw to manipulate multiple transactions. The impact is particularly severe in environments where transaction monitoring systems fail to detect unauthorized modifications to form field data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0137 require implementing robust server-side validation and access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications to sensitive transaction data. Organizations should eliminate the use of hidden form fields for sensitive information and instead implement proper session management and server-side data validation. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization, server-side transaction verification, and comprehensive access control measures that validate all user requests regardless of their source. Security controls should include parameter validation, proper authentication checks, and transaction logging to detect unauthorized modifications. Implementing proper web application firewalls and input validation systems can help prevent exploitation attempts. The solution must address the fundamental architectural flaw by ensuring that sensitive data is not exposed to client-side manipulation and that all transaction parameters are verified against expected values. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against client-side manipulation attacks. Organizations should also implement regular security testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which addresses command and script injection, and T1071 which covers application layer protocols. Proper implementation of these security measures will prevent unauthorized modification of purchase information and maintain the integrity of e-commerce transactions.