CVE-2014-3990 in OpenCA
Summary
by MITRE
The Cart::getProducts method in system/library/cart.php in OpenCart 1.5.6.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to conduct server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks or possibly conduct XML External Entity (XXE) attacks and execute arbitrary code via a crafted serialized PHP object, related to the quantity parameter in an update request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3990 resides within the Cart::getProducts method of OpenCart version 1.5.6.4 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk that enables remote attackers to exploit server-side request forgery and potentially execute arbitrary code. This flaw specifically manifests through the quantity parameter in update requests, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before processing serialized PHP objects. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and demonstrates a classic example of unsafe deserialization, where untrusted data is directly processed without adequate sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the cart update functionality, allowing attackers to inject malicious serialized PHP objects that can be executed during the deserialization process. When the quantity parameter contains crafted serialized data, the system attempts to deserialize this input without sufficient security controls, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior. This flaw aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses unsafe deserialization vulnerabilities, where data is deserialized from untrusted sources without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability's potential for exploitation extends beyond simple SSRF attacks to include XML External Entity processing, where attackers can leverage the system's XML parsing capabilities to access internal resources or execute malicious payloads.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for OpenCart installations, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to perform server-side request forgery attacks that might enable access to internal systems, databases, or other network resources that the web server can reach. The potential for arbitrary code execution represents a severe threat level, as it could allow attackers to take complete control of the affected system, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core shopping cart functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through normal user interactions without requiring special privileges or access to administrative interfaces.
Organizations utilizing affected OpenCart versions should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper input validation and sanitization controls, and applying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious serialized object patterns. The remediation strategy should focus on strengthening the deserialization process by implementing strict type checking, using safe deserialization libraries, and ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes comprehensive validation before being processed. Security controls should also include monitoring for unusual patterns in cart update requests and implementing proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how insecure deserialization can serve as a gateway for more sophisticated attacks, aligning with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and persistence domains.