CVE-2005-1607 in Remote Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in shop.cgi in Remote Cart allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) merchant or (2) demo parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1607 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Remote Cart shopping cart software, specifically in the shop.cgi script. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The vulnerability exists in the parameter handling mechanism of the Remote Cart system, where user-supplied input from the merchant and demo parameters is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into web page output. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters sent to the shop.cgi script. When an attacker crafts malicious input for either the merchant or demo parameters and submits it to the vulnerable application, the script fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before rendering them in web responses. This creates an environment where JavaScript code can be injected and executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit pages containing the malicious content. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and redirection to malicious sites.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to online businesses utilizing the Remote Cart system. The attack surface is broad since any user who can influence the merchant or demo parameters can potentially compromise the application's security. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of web applications by allowing attackers to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, or modify content displayed to legitimate users. The attack requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with varying skill levels. The vulnerability can also be leveraged as a stepping stone for more complex attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper validation and escaping techniques before incorporating it into web page output. This aligns with the OWASP Secure Coding practices and addresses the fundamental flaw in the application's data handling process. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web application security, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their systems.