CVE-2014-8377 in Shop-Script
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Webasyst Shop-Script 5.2.2.30933 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the phone number field in a new contact to phpecom/index.php/webasyst/contacts/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The CVE-2014-8377 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Webasyst Shop-Script version 5.2.2.30933 that exposes web applications to persistent malicious code execution. This vulnerability specifically targets the phone number input field within the contact management system accessible through the phpecom/index.php/webasyst/contacts/ endpoint, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's user interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where malicious actors can exploit the lack of proper data sanitization in the phone number field to inject malicious payloads. When legitimate users view contact records containing crafted phone numbers, the injected scripts execute within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core contact management functionality that likely receives regular user interaction, increasing the attack surface and potential exposure.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains where attackers first establish a foothold through XSS and then leverage the compromised user sessions to perform more advanced malicious activities. Attackers can craft phone numbers containing malicious JavaScript that executes when other users view the contact information, potentially stealing cookies, redirecting to phishing pages, or even executing more complex payloads that could lead to full system compromise. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that once a malicious phone number is entered, it remains active until manually removed from the database, creating a long-term threat vector. Organizations using this version of Shop-Script face significant risk of unauthorized access and data exfiltration, particularly in environments where multiple users interact with the contact management system regularly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8377 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Shop-Script version to the latest available release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing or displaying it within web interfaces. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all dynamic content, utilizing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution, and employing regular security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and developers should emphasize the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization practices, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads attempting to exploit similar XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of all input fields and user interface components to ensure that no similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase, with particular attention to areas handling user-generated content and contact information management.