CVE-2013-1891 in OpenCart
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2022
In OpenCart 1.4.7 to 1.5.5.1, implemented anti-traversal code in filemanager.php is ineffective and can be bypassed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1891 affects OpenCart versions ranging from 1.4.7 through 1.5.5.1, specifically targeting the filemanager.php component that handles file operations within the content management system. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the intended protection mechanisms designed to prevent directory traversal attacks. The affected system implements anti-traversal code within the filemanager.php file, which serves as a security control to restrict unauthorized access to files outside the designated directories. However, this protective measure contains a fundamental design flaw that renders it ineffective against determined attackers seeking to exploit the system's file handling capabilities.
The technical flaw stems from an insufficient implementation of path validation and sanitization within the filemanager.php script, allowing attackers to bypass the intended security controls through crafted input parameters. The anti-traversal code that was implemented fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input, enabling malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access restricted directories. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of directory traversal attacks, which are classified as CWE-22 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration standard. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes file operations without adequate validation of the file paths, creating an opportunity for attackers to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized users to access sensitive files, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, and other system resources that should remain protected. Attackers can exploit this weakness to retrieve arbitrary files from the server, leading to potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a core file management component that is essential for the operation of the e-commerce platform. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and unauthorized modification of critical system files, making this a high-severity issue that requires immediate attention.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of OpenCart that contains proper path validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Network-level protections including input validation at the application gateway and strict file access controls can provide additional defense in depth. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, which emphasizes the importance of proper access controls and file system restrictions. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar implementation flaws in other components of the system, ensuring comprehensive protection against directory traversal attacks and similar vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader application ecosystem.