CVE-2003-0523 in Productcart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in msg.asp for certain versions of ProductCart allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script via the message parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0523 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the ProductCart e-commerce platform, specifically affecting the msg.asp component. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a direct descendant of the fundamental web application security principle that all user inputs must be treated as untrusted and properly validated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the message parameter within the msg.asp script, where remote attackers can inject malicious script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, defacing web pages, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of victims. The flaw exists because the application does not adequately sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable script rather than plain text.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or privilege escalation within the application context. When exploited, this vulnerability can compromise the integrity of the entire e-commerce platform, potentially affecting customer data, transaction security, and business operations. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its remote exploitability, meaning attackers do not require physical access to the system or network to carry out successful attacks. This makes it particularly dangerous in public-facing web applications where the attack surface is maximized and the potential for widespread exploitation is high.
Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent such vulnerabilities from occurring in their applications. The recommended mitigations include implementing proper parameter validation, utilizing secure coding practices that encode output data according to the context in which it will be rendered, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious web content to gain initial access or execute malicious code within target environments, demonstrating how such flaws can serve as entry points for more extensive compromise operations.