CVE-2008-3130 in OpenCart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in index.php in OpenCart 0.7.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) firstname and (2) search parameters. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3130 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting OpenCart version 0.7.7, specifically within the index.php file. This vulnerability exposes the e-commerce platform to remote code execution risks through malicious web script injection, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input parameters, creating pathways for attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the OpenCart framework. Attackers can exploit the firstname and search parameters to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's response handling. When legitimate users interact with the vulnerable application, their browsers execute the injected code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, making it a prime target for exploitation in web application attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3130 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates potential for broader security breaches within the OpenCart environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal customer session cookies, modify product listings, or redirect users to phishing sites that mimic the legitimate e-commerce platform. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple user interactions means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute for all affected users until the application is patched. This represents a significant concern for e-commerce platforms where user trust and data protection are paramount, as the attack vector is accessible through routine user interactions with the application's search and registration functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the OpenCart 0.7.7 installation to the latest available version that addresses the XSS flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly focusing on user-supplied parameters that are directly reflected in HTML responses. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, sanitizing all user input through proper encoding techniques, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious web content, making it essential for organizations to maintain robust web application security controls and monitor for suspicious user interactions. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of input validation mechanisms to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing or display within the application interface.