CVE-2010-4903 in CubeCart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in CubeCart 4.3.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the searchStr parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4903 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the CubeCart e-commerce platform version 4.3.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script and exploits the searchStr parameter to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the application's sql queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of the searchStr parameter within the index.php file. When users perform searches within the CubeCart application, the searchStr parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal input validation mechanisms and execute unintended commands against the database. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack vector where user input is concatenated directly into sql statements rather than being properly escaped or parameterized.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4903 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive customer information including personal details, credit card data, and administrative credentials. The attack surface is particularly concerning for e-commerce platforms where database integrity and customer privacy are paramount. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable attackers to modify or delete database records, disrupt service availability, or establish persistent access points within the affected system infrastructure.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the execution and credential access phases, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious commands and escalate privileges. Organizations running CubeCart 4.3.3 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation. The recommended remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of CubeCart, implementing proper sql query parameterization, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all application components to identify similar vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation. The attack vector highlights the need for continuous security testing and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar flaws across the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect and respond to sql injection attempts. The long-term solution requires comprehensive security awareness training for developers and adherence to secure coding standards throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.