CVE-2014-3830 in TomatoCart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in info.php in TomatoCart 1.1.8.6.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the faqs_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3830 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the TomatoCart e-commerce platform version 1.1.8.6.1. This security weakness resides in the info.php script and specifically affects the handling of the faqs_id parameter, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code within the context of affected web applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized administrative actions. This vulnerability directly violates the fundamental security principle of input validation and demonstrates poor output encoding practices in web application development.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the info.php script. When the faqs_id parameter is processed without proper validation or encoding, malicious payloads can be stored or executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing script tags or other malicious content in the faqs_id parameter, which when executed in victim browsers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in e-commerce environments where user sessions contain sensitive financial and personal data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection to encompass potential full system compromise through session hijacking and privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to authenticated user sessions, potentially accessing customer databases, financial information, and administrative controls. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need only send malicious links to victims, making the attack surface extremely broad. This flaw represents a critical security gap that could lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage for organizations using vulnerable versions of TomatoCart. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application security, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021 - Injection vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3830 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. The recommended approach includes applying HTML entity encoding to all output data, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and upgrading to patched versions of TomatoCart where available. Security measures should also include regular input sanitization, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should establish proper security monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all web applications maintain current security patches and follow secure coding practices. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls as part of comprehensive cybersecurity programs.