CVE-2008-6986 in Zen Cart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the actionMultipleAddProduct function in includes/classes/shopping_cart.php in Zen Cart 1.3.0 through 1.3.8a, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the products_id array parameter in a multiple_products_add_product action, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-6985.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6986 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Zen Cart e-commerce platform version 1.3.0 through 1.3.8a. This vulnerability specifically targets the actionMultipleAddProduct function located in the includes/classes/shopping_cart.php file, exposing the system to remote code execution attacks when the magic_quotes_gpc directive is disabled. The flaw occurs during the processing of multiple product additions to a shopping cart, where the products_id array parameter is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a result of insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data. The attack vector leverages the absence of proper parameter validation in the multiple_products_add_product action, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user input within the shopping_cart.php class file. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to adequately sanitize the products_id array parameter that is passed through the multiple_products_add_product action. This parameter is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization, allowing attackers to manipulate the SQL execution flow. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets a publicly accessible web application component that processes user input. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized administrative access to the e-commerce platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire e-commerce database structure. Successful exploitation could result in the modification or deletion of customer information, product catalogs, order histories, and payment details. The vulnerability affects the core shopping cart functionality, making it particularly damaging for online retailers who rely on the integrity of their transactional data. Attackers could leverage this flaw to inject malicious SQL commands that might escalate privileges within the database, potentially allowing them to execute system-level commands or access other applications sharing the same database infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution threat, which means that attackers do not require physical access to the system to exploit this weakness, making it particularly attractive for automated attacks and large-scale exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6986 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Zen Cart versions, as well as implementing proper input validation and parameterization techniques. Organizations should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is enabled or implement proper input sanitization measures, though the latter approach is less reliable than patching the core vulnerability. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to Zen Cart versions that have addressed this vulnerability, typically version 1.3.9 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization for the shopping cart functionality. Security measures should also include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts, as well as conducting regular security audits of all input handling functions within the application. Additionally, database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of the database user account used by Zen Cart, thereby minimizing the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and SQL injection activities within their e-commerce platforms.