CVE-2009-4572 in PhpShop
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in PhpShop 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users for requests that invoke the cartAdd function in a shop/cart action to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2019
The CVE-2009-4572 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in PhpShop version 0.8.1, a widely used open-source e-commerce platform. This vulnerability resides in the cartAdd function within the shop/cart action of the application, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate user sessions and execute unauthorized transactions. The flaw specifically targets the authentication mechanism of the application, allowing malicious actors to hijack legitimate user sessions and perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through the default URI, making it accessible to attackers without requiring specific knowledge of the application's internal structure or complex exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the cartAdd function. When users access the shop/cart action, the application fails to verify the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate user sessions, instead relying solely on session cookies for authentication. This design flaw creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious web pages or email attachments containing embedded requests to the cartAdd function, which automatically executes when a victim visits the malicious page while authenticated to the PhpShop application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the session management and request validation mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized actions from being performed on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it can lead to unauthorized financial transactions and complete compromise of user accounts within the e-commerce platform. Attackers can exploit this flaw to add unauthorized products to users' shopping carts, potentially leading to fraudulent charges or inventory manipulation. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, where attackers can maintain persistent access to user accounts and perform administrative actions. According to CWE-352, this vulnerability maps directly to the Cross-Site Request Forgery category, which is classified as a serious weakness that can result in complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of malicious web content to execute unauthorized actions against authenticated users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4572 should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF token mechanisms within the PhpShop application, ensuring that all state-changing operations require verification of legitimate user intent. The most effective approach involves generating unique, unpredictable tokens for each user session and validating these tokens with every request that modifies application state. Organizations should also implement proper session management practices, including secure session cookie attributes, regular session expiration, and the use of HTTPS encryption for all communications. Additionally, the application should enforce strict input validation and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to user sessions. The fix should address the root cause by ensuring that the cartAdd function requires explicit user confirmation or token validation before executing any modifications to the shopping cart, thereby preventing the automated execution of malicious requests that could compromise user accounts and financial data.