CVE-2009-1027 in OpenCart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in OpenCart 1.1.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the order parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2018
The CVE-2009-1027 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in OpenCart version 1.1.8, a popular e-commerce platform that was widely adopted by online retailers during that period. This vulnerability specifically targets the order parameter handling mechanism within the application's backend processing logic, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the software's data processing pipeline, where user-supplied order identifiers are directly incorporated into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the shopping cart system, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access, modify, or delete sensitive customer and transactional data stored within the database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted order parameter containing malicious sql code. The vulnerable application fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into database queries, enabling the execution of arbitrary sql commands. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion of customer records, order histories, and product information. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack vector that falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1027 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and business disruption for affected e-commerce operations. Organizations running vulnerable OpenCart installations face significant risks including customer data breaches, financial loss due to fraudulent transactions, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for online businesses. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to perform advanced persistent threats against the affected systems, potentially leading to long-term unauthorized access and data exfiltration. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that OpenCart was widely deployed across various retail sectors, making numerous organizations simultaneously vulnerable to coordinated attacks.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1027 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the official security patches released by OpenCart developers, which typically implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, while establishing comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters before database processing. Database access controls should be strengthened through principle of least privilege implementation, ensuring that application accounts have minimal necessary permissions. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify potential injection vectors, with security teams implementing the ATT&CK framework's application layer techniques to monitor for suspicious database access patterns. Organizations must also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle sql injection breaches, including data recovery protocols and customer notification requirements for data breach situations.