CVE-2015-2184 in ZeusCart
Summary
by MITRE
ZeusCart 4 allows remote attackers to obtain configuration information via a getphpinfo action to admin/, which calls the phpinfo function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2184 affects ZeusCart 4, a web-based e-commerce platform that falls under the category of web application security flaws. This particular weakness represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system configuration details to remote attackers without requiring authentication. The flaw exists within the administrative interface of the application where an attacker can directly access the getphpinfo action endpoint, which subsequently triggers the phpinfo function execution. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's access control mechanisms. The phpinfo function in php applications typically displays detailed configuration information about the server environment including php settings, loaded extensions, environment variables, and potentially sensitive system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control within the ZeusCart 4 administrative module. When a remote attacker accesses the specific URL pattern containing the getphpinfo action, the application fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses appropriate administrative privileges. This lack of authentication check allows any remote user to execute the phpinfo function directly through the web interface, bypassing the normal security controls that should protect administrative functions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no specialized tools beyond standard web browsing capabilities or simple http request utilities. The exposed information includes php configuration settings, server environment details, and potentially sensitive data that could reveal the underlying infrastructure, software versions, and system characteristics that attackers could leverage for subsequent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with comprehensive information about the target system's configuration and environment. The phpinfo output may reveal database connection strings, file paths, server software versions, and other sensitive details that could be used to craft more targeted attacks. This information disclosure could facilitate further exploitation attempts such as SQL injection, directory traversal, or other attacks that rely on knowledge of the system configuration. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can potentially lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities. From an attacker's perspective, this information provides a roadmap for understanding the target environment and identifying potential attack vectors that might not otherwise be apparent through passive reconnaissance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2184 should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation within the application. The primary fix involves ensuring that administrative functions such as the getphpinfo action require proper authentication and authorization checks before execution. This can be achieved through implementing role-based access control mechanisms, validating user sessions, and restricting access to administrative endpoints based on user privileges. Additionally, the application should remove or disable the getphpinfo functionality from production environments as it serves no legitimate business purpose and poses significant security risks. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewalls and web application firewalls to restrict access to administrative interfaces and monitor for suspicious activity patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213, which covers data from information repositories, and represents a classic example of how insufficient access controls can lead to information disclosure that compromises system security. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar access control vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure that all administrative functions properly validate user permissions before execution.