CVE-2004-2123 in E-Commerce ASP Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Nextplace.com E-Commerce ASP Engine allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) level parameter of productdetail.asp, (2) searchKey parameter of searchresults.asp, and possibly (3) level parameter of ListCategories.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2123 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Nextplace.com E-Commerce ASP Engine, a widely deployed web application framework for online retail platforms. This vulnerability affects multiple components of the e-commerce system and demonstrates the persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw resides in the improper validation and sanitization of user input parameters that are directly reflected in the application's HTTP responses without adequate encoding or filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability impacts three distinct parameters across different ASP pages, indicating a systemic issue in the application's input handling architecture rather than isolated code defects. This particular vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications where untrusted data is not properly escaped before being rendered in web pages. The attack vector leverages the fact that user-supplied data flows directly into HTML output without sufficient sanitization, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of three specific HTTP parameters that are processed by different application modules. The level parameter in productdetail.asp serves as an entry point where attackers can inject malicious scripts that will execute when other users view product details. Similarly, the searchKey parameter in searchresults.asp allows for script injection during search result display operations, while the level parameter in ListCategories.asp provides another vector for cross-site scripting attacks. These parameters represent common input points in e-commerce applications where user queries and navigation parameters are typically passed through to the backend without proper validation. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly innocuous input fields can become attack surfaces when applications fail to implement proper input sanitization. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's tactic of initial access through web application attacks, where adversaries leverage insecure input handling to establish persistent access vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise user sessions and data integrity within the e-commerce platform. When successful, attackers can execute malicious scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to fraudulent sites, or deface the application interface. The vulnerability particularly threatens customer data privacy since users who view affected pages may unknowingly execute malicious code that can capture their browsing sessions or personal information. The impact on business operations includes potential loss of customer trust, reputational damage, and possible regulatory compliance violations under data protection laws. Organizations using the Nextplace.com E-Commerce ASP Engine would face significant operational challenges if this vulnerability were exploited, as it could affect multiple user interactions across the platform's core functionalities. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple application modules suggests that the underlying architectural issue affects the entire application's security posture rather than isolated components. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as attackers often use XSS as a precursor to session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's presence in e-commerce applications specifically increases the risk of financial fraud and data breaches, as users may unknowingly provide sensitive information to malicious scripts executing in their browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural issues that permitted the vulnerability to exist. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters. This includes sanitizing the level, searchKey, and other similar parameters through proper HTML encoding before rendering them in web responses. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also implementing proper content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The solution should also incorporate proper parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes input containing potentially dangerous characters or script patterns. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the specific vulnerable code sections in productdetail.asp, searchresults.asp, and ListCategories.asp, with additional code reviews to identify and remediate similar patterns throughout the application. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities. The mitigation approach must align with industry best practices for web application security, including the principles of defense in depth and secure coding practices that prevent the introduction of vulnerabilities during development phases. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures that can quickly address exploitation attempts and provide guidance to affected users regarding potential session compromises.