CVE-2012-2058 in Ubercart Payflow
Summary
by MITRE
The Ubercart Payflow module for Drupal does not use a secure token, which allows remote attackers to forge payments via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2018
The CVE-2012-2058 vulnerability affects the Ubercart Payflow module for Drupal, a widely used e-commerce solution that integrates with PayPal's Payflow payment processing system. This module serves as a bridge between Drupal-based websites and PayPal's payment infrastructure, enabling online merchants to process transactions through their Drupal platforms. The vulnerability stems from the module's failure to implement proper token-based authentication mechanisms during payment processing, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically relates to the absence of secure token validation, which is a fundamental security control designed to prevent unauthorized transaction manipulation.
The technical flaw in the Ubercart Payflow module manifests as a lack of secure token implementation that should validate the authenticity of payment requests before processing them. When a payment is initiated through the module, the system should verify that the transaction originates from a legitimate source by checking cryptographic tokens or session identifiers. Without this validation mechanism, attackers can potentially craft malicious payment requests that appear to come from authorized sources, bypassing the normal payment verification procedures. This vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the payment processing module's authentication flow, where the absence of proper token handling creates an attack surface that can be exploited through various unspecified vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations using Drupal with the Ubercart Payflow module, as it directly compromises the integrity of financial transactions. Remote attackers who exploit this weakness can forge payments without proper authorization, potentially leading to unauthorized financial losses, fraudulent transaction processing, and compromised customer payment data. The vulnerability undermines the trust model that e-commerce platforms rely on, as it allows malicious actors to manipulate payment flows without detection. Organizations may face significant financial losses, regulatory compliance issues, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited in production environments. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates remotely, meaning attackers do not need physical access to the system or administrative privileges to exploit the flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2058 should focus on implementing proper secure token validation mechanisms within the Ubercart Payflow module. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the module or implement custom security controls that enforce token-based authentication for all payment requests. The solution involves ensuring that cryptographic tokens are generated, validated, and verified at each stage of the payment processing workflow, preventing unauthorized transaction manipulation. Security measures should also include monitoring payment logs for suspicious activities, implementing additional authentication layers, and conducting regular security assessments of payment processing components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, as it involves the exposure of payment data and the lack of secure transmission mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may exploit it to manipulate payment flows and potentially gain access to sensitive financial information. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that all payment processing components maintain proper authentication and authorization controls while preserving system functionality and user experience.