CVE-2008-5216 in ZeusCart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in category_list.php in AJ Square ZeusCart 2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5216 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the AJ Square ZeusCart 2.0 e-commerce platform and earlier versions. This vulnerability exists in the category_list.php script which processes user input through the cid parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that can be executed by the database server, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. The cid parameter in category_list.php serves as the primary attack vector where unfiltered user input directly influences sql statement construction without proper parameterization or input sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the sql query execution flow, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms or extracting sensitive information from the database. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise potential. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to customer data, payment information, and administrative credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability's presence in e-commerce platforms like ZeusCart creates significant risk for businesses handling sensitive transactional data, potentially leading to financial loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. Organizations using affected versions of ZeusCart face heightened exposure to data breaches and could experience service disruption if attackers exploit the vulnerability to corrupt database contents or execute destructive commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5216 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available version of ZeusCart that addresses the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in their applications, following secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended in the owasp top ten security risks. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments can provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that may indicate sql injection attempts, while access controls and audit logging should be implemented to track and respond to potential exploitation attempts.