CVE-2015-2182 in ZeusCart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in ZeusCart 4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) schltr parameter in a brands action or (2) brand parameter in a viewbrands action to index.php. NOTE: The search parameter vector is already covered by CVE-2010-5322.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2182 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting ZeusCart 4 ecommerce platform. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user input parameters within specific URL actions, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of victims' browsers. The flaw manifests through two distinct parameter injection points that operate within the platform's brand-related functionality, specifically targeting the schltr parameter within the brands action and the brand parameter within the viewbrands action of the index.php file. These attack vectors demonstrate a classic example of insufficient input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes the common weakness of cross-site scripting in web applications. When attackers exploit these parameters, they can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The schltr parameter in the brands action and the brand parameter in the viewbrands action both fail to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before rendering it in the web page context. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the core product browsing functionality of an ecommerce platform, where users frequently interact with brand-related content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2182 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to compromise the entire user session within the ZeusCart platform. Users who visit pages containing malicious content injected through these parameters may have their browser sessions hijacked, potentially allowing unauthorized access to customer accounts, order information, and payment details. The attack surface is particularly broad since brand browsing is a common user activity within ecommerce sites, making the exploitation of these parameters highly likely to affect real users. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks such as defacement of the ecommerce site, data exfiltration, or as a stepping stone for further attacks within the compromised environment.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary mitigation involves input validation and output encoding, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before being processed or rendered in web pages. This approach directly addresses the underlying CWE-79 weakness by preventing malicious code from being executed in the browser context. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions that properly handle these parameters. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, using proper HTTP headers to prevent XSS attacks, and conducting regular security testing of web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the need for proper input validation and output encoding in web application development.