CVE-2005-1361 in MetaCart e-Shop
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MetaCart e-Shop 8.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) intProdID parameter in product.asp or (2) strCatalog_NAME parameter to productsByCategory.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1361 represents a critical security flaw in MetaCart e-Shop version 8.0, specifically targeting the application's handling of user input in two distinct web pages. This vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, which occur when an application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL database queries. The affected parameters intProdID in product.asp and strCatalog_NAME in productsByCategory.asp demonstrate how insufficient input validation can create exploitable entry points for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to backend database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization mechanisms. When users provide input through these parameters, the web application directly concatenates the user-supplied values into SQL command strings without adequate filtering or escaping. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database engine, potentially enabling complete database compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the MetaCart e-Shop platform, which is a commercial e-commerce solution designed for small to medium businesses, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of such systems in retail environments.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially gaining read access to sensitive customer data, order information, payment details, and administrative credentials stored within the database. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or network, enabling them to conduct attacks from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the affected application code. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied input is properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into database queries. Additionally, implementing proper input validation frameworks and conducting regular security code reviews can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. Organizations utilizing MetaCart e-Shop 8.0 should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as even minor oversights in database interaction can lead to complete system compromise. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive penetration testing to identify any additional injection points within the application that may present similar risks to the database infrastructure.