CVE-2003-0522 in Productcart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ProductCart 1.5 through 2 allow remote attackers to (1) gain access to the admin control panel via the idadmin parameter to login.asp or (2) gain other privileges via the Email parameter to Custva.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0522 represents a critical security flaw in ProductCart e-commerce software versions 1.5 through 2.0, exposing multiple pathways for remote attackers to compromise system integrity and escalate privileges. This vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, which occur when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The specific exposure points involve two distinct parameters within different script files that handle user authentication and customer data management. The first attack vector targets the idadmin parameter within the login.asp file, allowing unauthorized access to administrative control panels. The second vector exploits the Email parameter in Custva.asp, enabling attackers to gain elevated privileges within the system. These vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they provide direct pathways to administrative functionality without proper authentication mechanisms, effectively bypassing the application's security controls.
The technical implementation of these SQL injection flaws demonstrates poor input validation practices within the ProductCart application code. When user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, attackers can manipulate the intended query execution flow. The idadmin parameter in login.asp likely accepts a user ID value that gets directly inserted into a database query without proper escaping or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code. Similarly, the Email parameter in Custva.asp provides a comparable vulnerability where email addresses are processed through unsanitized database queries. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically categorized as SQL Injection, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The attack patterns align with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for Exploitation of Remote Services, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code or access restricted resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0522 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers who exploit these vulnerabilities can manipulate customer data, modify product catalogs, access sensitive financial information, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The administrative access gained through the idadmin parameter provides attackers with full control over the e-commerce platform, including the ability to modify user accounts, alter pricing structures, and access confidential customer information. The privilege escalation through the Email parameter in Custva.asp creates additional attack vectors where attackers can assume identities of legitimate users or escalate their access to higher privilege levels. Organizations running affected ProductCart versions face significant risks including data breaches, financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on the software for business-critical operations, making it particularly concerning for e-commerce businesses handling sensitive customer data and financial transactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0522 require immediate action to address the underlying SQL injection vulnerabilities in ProductCart installations. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as SQL commands. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of ProductCart or apply the vendor-supplied security updates as soon as possible. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar attacks. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary administrative access points and implementing strict authentication controls. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts by monitoring for suspicious database query patterns and unusual administrative access patterns. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of the application code to identify and address any additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the system. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications within their infrastructure.