CVE-2008-6394 in CS-Cart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in core/user.php in CS-Cart 1.3.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cs_cookies[customer_user_id] cookie parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6394 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CS-Cart e-commerce platform version 1.3.5 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the core/user.php file and specifically targets the cs_cookies[customer_user_id] cookie parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to exploit the system's database interactions. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's SQL query execution flow through crafted cookie values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input from the cs_cookies[customer_user_id] parameter before incorporating it into SQL database queries. When the application processes this cookie value, it directly concatenates the unsanitized input into SQL commands without appropriate filtering mechanisms or parameterized query construction. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly integrated into SQL commands. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or local access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the affected database server. This level of access enables malicious actors to perform data manipulation, including reading sensitive customer information, modifying user accounts, deleting database records, or even escalating privileges within the database environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in externally accessible applications to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability also aligns with T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use DNS-based techniques to establish command and control channels after initial exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied data from cookies and other input sources undergoes rigorous filtering before being processed in database queries. This includes implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements, which are the industry standard approach for preventing SQL injection attacks according to OWASP guidelines. Organizations should also implement proper cookie security measures including secure flags, HttpOnly attributes, and regular cookie rotation. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten, which consistently ranks SQL injection among the most critical web application security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to ensure all input handling mechanisms properly validate and sanitize data, particularly in areas where database interactions occur.