CVE-2007-2862 in CubeCart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in CubeCart 3.0.16 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via an unspecified parameter to cart.inc.php and certain other files in an include directory, related to missing sanitization of the $option variable and possibly cookie modification.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2862 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting CubeCart version 3.0.16, a widely used e-commerce platform that was prevalent during the mid-2000s era. This vulnerability resides in the core application logic where user input is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer. The flaw specifically manifests in the cart.inc.php file and other components within the include directory structure, indicating a systemic issue in the application's input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize the $option variable, which serves as a critical parameter in the application's processing flow. This variable likely receives user-provided data from various sources including HTTP parameters, cookies, or other client-side inputs without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the $option variable, which is processed without proper sanitization measures that would normally prevent SQL injection attacks. When the application processes this unsanitized input, it directly incorporates the malicious SQL commands into database queries, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized operations against the underlying database system. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages cookie modification as one of the potential exploitation methods, suggesting that attackers could manipulate session data to inject malicious SQL code. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is used to construct SQL queries without proper sanitization. The attack follows typical SQL injection patterns where the malicious input is crafted to alter the intended query execution flow, potentially leading to data disclosure, modification, or complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2862 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive customer information including personal details, credit card information, and transaction records. The vulnerability affects the entire e-commerce ecosystem built on CubeCart, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, modify product catalogs, manipulate pricing structures, and gain persistent access to the application infrastructure. Given that this vulnerability affects a core component of the shopping cart functionality, it provides attackers with direct access to the most sensitive portions of the application's data handling processes. The exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.005 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols), as it exploits a web application vulnerability to execute malicious commands. The attack could also be classified under T1566 (Phishing) if attackers use this vulnerability to establish persistent access after initial compromise, or T1005 (Data from Local System) if the database contains sensitive information. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the lack of proper input validation and sanitization, which should have been implemented in accordance with secure coding practices. Organizations running affected versions of CubeCart faced significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers without requiring elevated privileges or specialized knowledge beyond basic web application exploitation techniques. The impact on business operations would include potential regulatory compliance violations, loss of customer trust, financial losses from data breaches, and operational disruption from system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation, where the application should have implemented proper parameterized queries or input sanitization to prevent such exploitation scenarios. This flaw underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of conducting thorough security testing on web applications before deployment. The remediation approach should involve implementing proper input validation, using parameterized queries, and ensuring that all user-provided data is properly escaped before being incorporated into database operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining security patches and updates for open-source applications, as the affected version was likely outdated and vulnerable to known attack patterns. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities demonstrates the critical need for security awareness training and the implementation of security controls that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project, which specifically addresses injection flaws including SQL injection as a primary security concern.