CVE-2000-0254 in Dansie Shopping Cart
Summary
by MITRE
The dansie shopping cart application cart.pl allows remote attackers to obtain the shopping cart database and configuration information via a URL that references either the env, db, or vars form variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0254 affects the dansie shopping cart application through its cart.pl script which fails to properly validate user input parameters. This flaw specifically manifests when the application processes form variables named env, db, or vars, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted URLs that directly reference internal system resources. The vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation and insecure direct object reference, where user-controllable parameters are used to access sensitive internal components without adequate authorization checks.
This vulnerability operates at the application layer and falls under the category of information disclosure flaws, specifically exposing sensitive configuration data and database connection details. The technical implementation allows attackers to manipulate URL parameters to bypass normal application security controls and gain unauthorized access to internal system information. When an attacker constructs a URL containing these specific form variables, the application processes them without proper validation, potentially revealing database connection strings, environment variables, and other configuration parameters that could be used for further exploitation. The flaw demonstrates poor access control mechanisms and inadequate input sanitization practices that are commonly associated with legacy web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed database connection information and configuration details could enable attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks including database manipulation, credential theft, or even complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage the disclosed information to craft targeted attacks against the underlying database system, potentially leading to data breaches or system infiltration. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the application's internal data, as it provides unauthorized access to information that should remain protected within the application's secure boundaries. This type of exposure aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree model where initial reconnaissance leads to more advanced exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0254 should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms within the application. The primary fix involves modifying the cart.pl script to validate all user-supplied parameters before processing them, ensuring that only legitimate form variables are accepted and that unauthorized access attempts are rejected. Implementing proper authentication and authorization checks for sensitive configuration data, along with input sanitization measures, would prevent attackers from exploiting the vulnerability through URL manipulation. Additionally, the application should be configured to not expose internal system parameters through web interfaces, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to principles outlined in the CWE catalog for improper input validation and insecure direct object references. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such vulnerabilities.