CVE-2008-2774 in CKGold Shopping Cart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in item.php in CartKeeper CKGold Shopping Cart 2.5 and 2.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category_id parameter, a different vector than CVE-2007-4736.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2774 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CartKeeper CKGold Shopping Cart software version 2.5 and 2.7. This vulnerability specifically targets the item.php script and exploits the category_id parameter to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. Unlike CVE-2007-4736 which addressed a similar issue in a different vector, this particular flaw demonstrates how attackers can manipulate input parameters to gain unauthorized access to backend database systems. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically identifies SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for e-commerce platforms as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive customer data, modify database contents, or even gain complete administrative control over the shopping cart system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it enables remote exploitation without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it highly attractive to malicious actors seeking to compromise online retail systems.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input passed through the category_id parameter in the item.php script. When an attacker submits malicious SQL code through this parameter, the application directly incorporates this input into SQL queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques. This allows the attacker to manipulate the intended database query execution flow and inject their own commands. The vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the SQL Injection technique category, specifically targeting the Database Operations and Credential Access tactics. The flaw essentially creates a path where user-controllable input becomes part of the database query execution context, enabling attackers to perform unauthorized database operations such as data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The impact is particularly severe in e-commerce environments where sensitive customer information, transaction records, and product inventories are stored in the backend databases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Organizations running affected CartKeeper versions face potential exposure of customer credit card information, personal identification details, and purchasing histories. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify product prices, remove inventory records, or insert malicious content into the shopping cart system. From a compliance standpoint, organizations may face regulatory violations under data protection laws such as gdpr, pci dss, and other applicable standards when customer data is compromised through such vulnerabilities. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, increasing the potential target pool for malicious actors. Security teams must consider that successful exploitation could lead to prolonged unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and system integrity compromise that may go undetected for extended periods. Additionally, the vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain proper network segmentation or monitoring controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2774 should prioritize immediate patching of affected CartKeeper versions to the latest available security updates from the vendor. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within their infrastructure that may be susceptible to similar attack vectors. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect anomalous database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish proper database access controls and privilege management to limit the potential damage from successful attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing system functionality while maintaining the security benefits. Furthermore, staff training on secure coding practices and regular vulnerability scanning should be implemented to prevent future occurrences of similar weaknesses in the organization's software development lifecycle.