CVE-2015-5455 in X-Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in X-Cart 4.5.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors to install/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2022
The CVE-2015-5455 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in X-Cart version 4.5.0 and earlier systems. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically affecting the installation component of the e-commerce platform. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, making it susceptible to various attack vectors that can bypass security controls.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the installation directory of X-Cart. Attackers can inject malicious web scripts or HTML code that gets executed when legitimate users access the affected pages. This typically happens when user-supplied input is not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the installation component, which may be accessible during system setup or configuration phases.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to e-commerce environments running vulnerable X-Cart versions. The exposure during installation phases means that attackers can compromise systems during critical setup periods when administrators are configuring the platform. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to customer data, financial information, and system administrative controls. The impact is amplified by the fact that XSS attacks can persist across multiple user sessions, potentially allowing attackers to maintain access and continue exploiting the system. The vulnerability also affects the platform's integrity and can undermine user trust in the e-commerce environment.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to X-Cart versions that have patched this vulnerability, as the original affected versions lack proper input sanitization. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injections. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented at all application entry points, particularly in areas handling user-supplied data. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting the application's input validation controls. Compliance with OWASP Top Ten security guidelines is essential for preventing such vulnerabilities in future deployments.