CVE-2005-2190 in Comersus Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Comersus shopping cart allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) email parameter to comersus_optAffiliateRegistrationExec.asp or (2) idProduct parameter to comersus_optReviewReadExec.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2190 represents a critical security flaw in the Comersus shopping cart software that exposes multiple pathways for remote SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects two distinct endpoints within the application's web interface, creating separate attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's parameter handling processes, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code through carefully crafted user inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary attack vectors that demonstrate poor input validation practices. The first vector involves the email parameter in the comersus_optAffiliateRegistrationExec.asp script, while the second targets the idProduct parameter in comersus_optReviewReadExec.asp. Both scenarios illustrate the classic SQL injection pattern where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's defensive programming practices.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or manipulation. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive customer information including personal details, payment information, and affiliate data stored within the database. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network connectivity to exploit these vulnerabilities. This creates a significant risk for e-commerce operations where customer data protection is paramount, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions within the database, possibly enabling complete system compromise and persistent access to the organization's infrastructure.
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities follows established attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for SQL injection attacks. Attackers would typically craft malicious payloads targeting the specific parameter names mentioned in the vulnerability description, sending specially formatted requests to the affected scripts. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these parameters are likely part of normal user interaction flows within the shopping cart application, making detection more difficult for security monitoring systems. Organizations operating affected systems should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation. Additionally, comprehensive database access controls and audit logging should be implemented to detect any unauthorized database activity that might result from successful exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments for e-commerce platforms. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple parameter handling can create catastrophic security risks when proper input validation is not implemented. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their web applications, implement robust input sanitization measures, and ensure that all database interactions use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for security awareness training and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical business applications from sophisticated attack vectors.