CVE-2011-4543 in osCommerce
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in osCommerce 3.0.2 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) set or (2) module parameter to (a) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules/pages/info.php, (b) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules/pages/edit.php, or (c) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules/pages/uninstall.php; the (3) set parameter to OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules/pages/main.php; the module parameter to (4) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_order_total/pages/edit.php, (5) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_order_total/pages/uninstall.php, (6) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_order_total/pages/info.php, (7) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_geoip/pages/edit.php, (8) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_geoip/pages/uninstall.php, (9) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/images/pages/main.php, (10) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_shipping/pages/edit.php, or (11) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/modules_shipping/pages/uninstall.php; the filter parameter to (12) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules_layout/pages/main.php, (13) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules_layout/pages/new.php, or (14) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates_modules_layout/pages/edit.php; or the template parameter to (15) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates/pages/info.php, (16) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates/pages/edit.php, or (17) OM/Core/Site/Admin/Application/templates/pages/uninstall.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4543 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting osCommerce 3.0.2, a widely used e-commerce platform. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in multiple administrative pages where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file paths through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling unauthorized access to local files and potential code execution. The affected files span across various administrative modules including templates, modules_order_total, modules_geoip, images, and modules_shipping, indicating a systemic issue in the platform's file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness in path validation and file access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. By leveraging directory traversal techniques, an attacker could potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, database credentials, and other confidential information stored within the application's directory structure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerable parameters are used in administrative interfaces, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple points of entry within the osCommerce administrative framework, making it difficult to secure all potential attack vectors without comprehensive input validation measures. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code and potentially establish persistence through compromised administrative interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user input through parameters such as set, module, filter, and template without proper validation or sanitization before using them in file inclusion operations. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that exploit these parameters to traverse directories and include local files that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability exists because the application does not properly validate or sanitize the input values before incorporating them into file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended file access behavior. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers assume that user input will be properly formatted or when they fail to implement proper path validation techniques. The widespread nature of the vulnerability across multiple administrative modules suggests that the underlying code pattern is consistently implemented without proper security controls, making this a systemic rather than isolated issue. Organizations should implement robust input validation, use whitelisting approaches for file operations, and employ proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access and execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of all user-controllable inputs, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges and sensitive data access are involved.