CVE-2015-3619 in VirtueMart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in assets/js/vm2admin.js in the VirtueMart component before 3.0.8 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving a "double encode combination of first_name, last_name and company."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3619 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the VirtueMart e-commerce component for Joomla extension for online store management. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of user input fields including first_name, last_name, and company parameters, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms where customer data is frequently processed and displayed.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding within the JavaScript file responsible for administrative functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that utilize a double encoding technique, which bypasses standard security filters and validation mechanisms. This sophisticated approach allows threat actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially executing malicious code in the context of other users' browsers. The double encoding combination technique leverages the way browsers process encoded characters, creating a vector that can circumvent typical XSS protection measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive customer information, manipulate the application's functionality, or redirect users to malicious websites. For e-commerce platforms utilizing VirtueMart, this vulnerability represents a critical risk to customer data security and business operations. The administrative nature of the affected component means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive backend functions, potentially allowing them to modify product catalogs, alter pricing, or access customer databases containing personal and financial information.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 category, which covers initial access through malicious web content. Organizations running vulnerable versions of VirtueMart should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and proper content security policies. The recommended solution involves upgrading to VirtueMart version 3.0.8 or later, which includes proper sanitization measures for user input fields. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security audits, and establishing robust input validation procedures will help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.