CVE-2011-5198 in eCommerce Shopping Cart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php in Neturf eCommerce Shopping Cart allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the SearchFor parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2018
The CVE-2011-5198 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Neturf eCommerce Shopping Cart platform that fundamentally compromises database security through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically targets the search.php script where user input is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms. The SearchFor parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization controls. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation techniques, enabling attackers to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted malicious input strings that alter the intended execution flow of SQL statements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits specially constructed input through the SearchFor parameter that contains SQL payload sequences designed to manipulate the underlying database operations. This allows unauthorized individuals to execute commands such as UNION SELECT statements, DROP TABLE operations, or data extraction queries that can result in complete database compromise. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in software security architecture. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive customer data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The operational impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability can enable full system compromise through database-level attacks that may reveal underlying system information or facilitate further exploitation.
Security implications of CVE-2011-5198 extend to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol and T1213.002 Data from Information Repositories, as attackers can systematically extract data from the compromised database through SQL injection payloads. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until patched, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to sensitive e-commerce data including customer personal information, payment details, and business-critical transaction records. Organizations utilizing Neturf eCommerce platforms face significant compliance risks as this vulnerability can result in violations of data protection regulations such as GDPR, PCI DSS, and other privacy frameworks that mandate proper input validation and database security controls. The attack surface is particularly concerning for e-commerce environments where customer data integrity and confidentiality are paramount, as this vulnerability essentially provides attackers with direct database access that bypasses traditional network-level security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5198 require immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation that filters or sanitizes all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for search parameters and other dynamic inputs. The recommended approach aligns with OWASP Top 10 security controls and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring database connections use minimal required permissions. Regular security auditing and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping e-commerce platforms updated with the latest security patches, as this flaw represents a common pattern of insecure programming practices that can be prevented through proper software development security protocols and adherence to secure coding standards.