CVE-2015-2973 in Welcart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Welcart before 1.4.18 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the usces_referer parameter to (1) classes/usceshop.class.php, (2) includes/edit-form-advanced.php, (3) includes/edit-form-advanced30.php, (4) includes/edit-form-advanced34.php, (5) includes/member_edit_form.php, (6) includes/order_edit_form.php, (7) includes/order_list.php, or (8) includes/usces_item_master_list.php, related to admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2973 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Welcart e-commerce platform version 1.4.17 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface of the platform and stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization of the usces_referer parameter. The flaw manifests across multiple PHP files within the platform's codebase, specifically targeting administrative functions that handle user data and order management. The affected files include core administrative classes and form handling scripts such as usceshop.class.php, edit-form-advanced.php, and various order-related management files. This widespread presence indicates a systemic issue in how the platform processes and renders user-supplied data within administrative contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the usces_referer parameter through HTTP requests to the administrative interface. When the platform processes this parameter without proper sanitization, malicious scripts or HTML code can be injected into the administrative pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the admin.php endpoint which serves as the central administrative interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise administrative sessions or inject malicious content into the platform's management environment. The flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting web application vulnerabilities through injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within the administrative context of the e-commerce platform. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal administrative credentials, modify product listings, manipulate customer data, alter order processing, and potentially gain full control over the platform's administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple administrative endpoints, creating numerous attack vectors and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the administrative interface, making it a high-value target for malicious actors seeking to compromise e-commerce operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and output sanitization measures across all affected files. The platform administrators should apply the official patch released by Welcart version 1.4.18 which addresses the XSS vulnerability in the usces_referer parameter handling. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that filters or encodes all user-supplied input before processing and rendering within administrative interfaces. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using secure coding practices that prevent direct output of user-controllable data can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits of web applications and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, particularly focusing on administrative interfaces where privilege escalation risks are highest.