CVE-2004-2221 in SoftCart
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in SoftCart.exe in Mercantec SoftCart 4.00b allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long parameter in an HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2221 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the SoftCart.exe component of Mercantec SoftCart version 4.00b, a web-based shopping cart application widely used for e-commerce transactions. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's handling of HTTP GET requests, specifically when processing parameters submitted through web forms or direct URL access. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-supplied data is directly copied into fixed-size memory buffers without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where a maliciously crafted HTTP GET request containing an excessively long parameter value can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the SoftCart.exe process. When the application processes this malformed input, the buffer overflow occurs in the stack memory region, potentially corrupting the return address of the calling function or other critical program variables. This memory corruption allows an attacker to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer, effectively enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the affected web server process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or local access, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools and remote attackers seeking to compromise web applications.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2004-2221 can result in complete system compromise of the affected web server hosting the vulnerable SoftCart application. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations running e-commerce platforms that rely on Mercantec SoftCart 4.00b, exposing sensitive customer data, transaction records, and potentially the entire corporate network to unauthorized access. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates over standard HTTP protocols, making detection and prevention challenging for network security systems that may not immediately recognize the malicious nature of the buffer overflow exploit.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor-provided patches or updates to the SoftCart application, as well as implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and input validation rules to filter out suspicious GET parameters. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution through web applications. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, implement proper input sanitization at all application layers, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy web applications. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation practices in web applications to prevent such critical exploitation vectors from being used against enterprise systems.