CVE-2007-4907 in X-Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in X-Cart allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the xcart_dir parameter to (1) config.php, (2) prepare.php, (3) smarty.php, (4) customer/product.php, (5) provider/auth.php, and (6) admin/auth.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4907 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the X-Cart e-commerce platform, which falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, specifically the xcart_dir parameter that is processed in multiple script files. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code on the target server, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution and potential system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the xcart_dir parameter within the affected PHP scripts including config.php, prepare.php, smarty.php, customer/product.php, provider/auth.php, and admin/auth.php. When these scripts process the unvalidated xcart_dir parameter, they concatenate user input directly into file inclusion functions without proper sanitization or validation, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-22 for improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory and CWE-94 for improper control of generation of code. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to specify any remote URL that contains malicious PHP code, which gets executed in the context of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, payment information, and system files. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, deploy malware, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks, as the attacker can potentially gain administrative access to the X-Cart platform and modify or delete critical application data. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, making it particularly dangerous in the context of web application attacks.
The security implications extend beyond immediate code execution, as this vulnerability can facilitate data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using affected versions of X-Cart face significant risk of regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The vulnerability's presence in multiple core application files increases the attack surface and makes it more difficult to fully remediate the issue. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected X-Cart versions, implementation of input validation controls, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious file inclusion attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement proper secure coding practices that prevent parameter injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as outlined in security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.