CVE-2008-6500 in ASP Shopping Cart Script
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in CodeToad ASP Shopping Cart Script allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The CVE-2008-6500 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the CodeToad ASP Shopping Cart Script that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content through manipulated query strings. This vulnerability exists within the default URI handling mechanism of the shopping cart application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or authentication. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the application's web interface, specifically when processing user-supplied data from HTTP query parameters. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data manipulation.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic insecure data handling pattern where user input is directly reflected in web responses without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects the default URI handling, meaning any user interaction with the shopping cart's primary entry points could potentially trigger the exploit. The ASP-based nature of the application means that the vulnerability could leverage various scripting techniques including javascript, vbscript, or other client-side technologies that are supported by web browsers. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection as this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the application's environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6500 is significant for any organization utilizing the CodeToad ASP Shopping Cart Script, particularly in e-commerce environments where user trust and data integrity are paramount. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal customer session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify product displays, or inject false pricing information that could lead to financial losses. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. Organizations may also face regulatory and compliance issues if customer data is compromised through this vulnerability, especially in industries governed by standards such as pci dss or gdpr. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that even after initial exploitation, attackers can maintain access through various techniques such as beaconing or command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6500 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementation within the application's codebase. Organizations should implement proper HTML encoding for all user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped to prevent script execution. The application should also implement comprehensive input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious content in query parameters. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring and filtering suspicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application or related systems. The remediation process should include updating the CodeToad ASP Shopping Cart Script to a patched version if available, or implementing custom security measures if the vendor no longer supports the product. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within their web applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering, making it a critical component in multi-stage attack chains that could compromise entire web application environments.