CVE-2005-1188 in Comersus Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in comersus_searchItem.asp in Comersus 3.90 to 4.51 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the curPage parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1188 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Comersus shopping cart software version 3.90 through 4.51. This vulnerability exists in the comersus_searchItem.asp component which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web responses. The specific parameter affected is curPage, which when manipulated by an attacker can be used to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side code injection that can be exploited to compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the curPage parameter and delivers it to unsuspecting users through various attack vectors such as email phishing, social engineering, or by embedding the link in compromised websites. When a victim clicks the malicious link, the script code gets executed in their browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, deface web pages, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects the core search functionality of the e-commerce platform, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise online retail systems.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using Comersus software, as it can lead to unauthorized access to customer data, session hijacking, and potential financial fraud through user impersonation. The attack surface is broad since the search functionality is typically accessible to all users, making it difficult to restrict or monitor the malicious input. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under T1566 for social engineering techniques and T1059 for command and scripting interpreters, as attackers may use this vector to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in dynamic web content generation. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that filters out potentially malicious characters and ensures proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack, as this type of input validation flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application architecture. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in preventing client-side attacks that can have cascading effects on overall system security.