CVE-2012-1059 in Online Merchant
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in osCommerce/OM/Core/Site/Shop/Application/Cart/pages/main.php in OSCommerce Online Merchant 3.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the value_title parameter, as demonstrated using the "Front" field in the shirt module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The CVE-2012-1059 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the OSCommerce Online Merchant 3.0.2 e-commerce platform that specifically targets the Cart application module. This vulnerability resides in the file osCommerce/OM/Core/Site/Shop/Application/Cart/pages/main.php and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create persistent security risks for online retail systems. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the value_title parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the "Front" field within the shirt module, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious payloads. When a user interacts with the affected module and submits data containing crafted script code, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization or encoding, resulting in the execution of malicious code within the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or encode user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1059 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. In the context of an e-commerce platform, this vulnerability could allow attackers to access customer account details, payment information, or personal data that users have entered during the shopping process. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it accessible to even novice attackers. The vulnerability's persistence in the Cart application module means that any user who views the affected page could be exposed to the malicious script execution, creating a widespread impact across the entire user base.
Security practitioners should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to address this vulnerability, following the principle of least privilege and proper data sanitization practices. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, and applying proper HTML encoding to all output data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, and regularly audit their applications for similar input validation flaws. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it could be exploited through malicious web content delivered via compromised e-commerce sites. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles, emphasizing the importance of defensive programming practices and secure coding standards.