CVE-2008-6985 in Zen Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in includes/classes/shopping_cart.php in Zen Cart 1.2.0 through 1.3.8a, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter when (1) adding or (2) updating the shopping cart.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6985 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Zen Cart versions 1.2.0 through 1.3.8a. This vulnerability specifically targets the shopping_cart.php file within the includes/classes directory structure of the e-commerce platform. The flaw becomes exploitable when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating a dangerous condition where user input is not automatically escaped before being processed by database queries. The vulnerability manifests through the id parameter which is utilized during two distinct operations within the shopping cart functionality - specifically when adding items to the cart and when updating existing cart contents. This dual exploitation vector significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the shopping_cart.php file. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. The id parameter serves as the primary attack vector, as attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. This occurs because the application directly concatenates user input into SQL queries without appropriate parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental flaw in database query construction, and specifically maps to CWE-20 which addresses improper input validation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6985 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that can compromise entire e-commerce operations. Successful exploitation allows malicious actors to manipulate shopping cart data, potentially altering product prices, inventory levels, or customer order details. More critically, the vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive customer information stored within the database, including personal details, payment information, and order histories. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for online stores that handle sensitive financial transactions. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to business continuity and regulatory compliance, particularly for organizations handling PCI DSS requirements where unauthorized database access constitutes a serious security breach.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6985 should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of security patches provided by Zen Cart developers. Organizations must ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement robust input validation mechanisms within the shopping_cart.php file. The recommended approach includes implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection regardless of PHP configuration settings. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple levels including client-side and server-side processing to eliminate the possibility of malicious data injection. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should not replace proper code-level remediation. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database interaction. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security configurations in web applications.