CVE-2004-1873 in A-CART
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in category.asp in A-CART Pro and A-CART 2.0 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via the catcode parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1873 represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the category.asp component of A-CART Pro and A-CART 2.0 e-commerce platforms. This vulnerability resides within the parameter handling mechanism of the web application's category management interface, specifically targeting the catcode parameter that is used to filter and retrieve product categories from the backend database. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands through the web interface, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data and system privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a classic example of sql injection vulnerability that has plagued web applications for decades. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring any prior authentication or privileged access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the category.asp script. When the catcode parameter is processed, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql queries executed against the backend database. This oversight creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax through the catcode parameter. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for privilege escalation, meaning an attacker could potentially elevate their access level within the application and gain administrative capabilities. The flaw demonstrates poor application security practices where dynamic sql queries are constructed using user-controllable data without proper sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it can enable comprehensive system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive business information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially retrieve customer data, financial records, product inventories, and other confidential information stored within the database. The privilege escalation capability means that unauthorized users could gain administrative access to the e-commerce platform, allowing them to modify product listings, alter pricing, manipulate inventory systems, and potentially install malicious code within the application. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the entire e-commerce system, making it a high-priority security concern for businesses relying on these platforms. The attack surface is particularly broad as the vulnerability affects the core category management functionality that is likely accessed by numerous users during normal business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1873 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply security patches provided by the vendor or implement custom code fixes that properly sanitize all user inputs before processing them in database queries. The recommended approach involves using parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate sql command structure from data values, ensuring that user input cannot alter the intended sql execution path. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring and logging of sql queries can help detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, demonstrating how sql injection can be leveraged for data exfiltration and system compromise. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and implement automated security testing to prevent future occurrences of this class of vulnerability.