CVE-2004-0242 in X-Cart
Summary
by MITRE
X-Cart 3.4.3 allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via a mode parameter with (1) phpinfo command or (2) perlinfo command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0242 affects X-Cart version 3.4.3, a popular e-commerce platform that was widely deployed in the early 2000s. This security flaw represents a classic case of improper input validation and insecure parameter handling that enables attackers to extract sensitive system information through carefully crafted requests. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the application processes the mode parameter within its web interface, creating an avenue for remote information disclosure that could significantly aid malicious actors in their reconnaissance efforts.
The technical flaw manifests through the application's handling of the mode parameter which accepts two distinct command values: phpinfo and perlinfo. When these commands are executed through the vulnerable parameter, they trigger the display of sensitive server configuration details including php.ini settings, loaded extensions, environment variables, and potentially server-specific information that could reveal the underlying operating system, installed software versions, and system architecture. This represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before executing these commands, creating a path for arbitrary code execution within the context of the web server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering, as it provides attackers with crucial intelligence for planning more sophisticated attacks. The disclosure of phpinfo output can reveal database connection details, file paths, server configurations, and potentially authentication credentials stored in configuration files. Attackers can leverage this information to identify other potential attack vectors, determine the exact server environment, and craft targeted exploits against known vulnerabilities in the software stack. This vulnerability particularly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which covers system information discovery, and T1592, which involves reconnaissance using multiple attack techniques. The exposure of such information significantly weakens the overall security posture of the affected system and can serve as a foundation for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameter sanitization measures. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated and that only predefined, safe command values are accepted. The most effective remediation involves implementing a whitelist approach for the mode parameter, rejecting any input that does not match expected values, and removing or disabling the phpinfo and perlinfo commands from production environments. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block requests containing these specific command patterns, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws across the entire application stack. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.