CVE-2015-8356 in mcart.xls Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the mcart.xls module 6.5.2 and earlier for Bitrix allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) xls_profile parameter to admin/mcart_xls_import.php or the (2) xls_iblock_id, (3) xls_iblock_section_id, (4) firstRow, (5) titleRow, (6) firstColumn, (7) highestColumn, (8) sku_iblock_id, or (9) xls_iblock_section_id_new parameter to admin/mcart_xls_import_step_2.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
The CVE-2015-8356 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the mcart.xls module of Bitrix CMS versions 6.5.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative import functionality that handles excel file processing for catalog data. The flaw exists in two distinct endpoints within the module's import workflow, creating multiple attack vectors for authenticated malicious users to exploit. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the module's database query construction process, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal security controls. This issue demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementation that directly violates fundamental secure coding practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple parameter injection points within the administrative interface. Attackers can manipulate the xls_profile parameter in the admin/mcart_xls_import.php endpoint or target several parameters in the admin/mcart_xls_import_step_2.php file including xls_iblock_id, xls_iblock_section_id, firstRow, titleRow, firstColumn, highestColumn, sku_iblock_id, and xls_iblock_section_id_new. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-89 which identifies improper neutralization of special elements in SQL queries, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in database access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for affected organizations. Successful exploitation allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modification of critical business information. Attackers could gain access to customer data, product catalogs, user credentials, and other sensitive business information stored within the Bitrix system. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious users could potentially elevate their access level to administrative privileges or even system-level access. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers would typically enumerate available parameters before exploiting this specific vulnerability.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-8356 should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Bitrix CMS versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, as the vendor has addressed this issue in subsequent releases. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring that all parameters passed to database queries are properly escaped or parameterized. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered a complete solution. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other modules, particularly those handling database interactions. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper access controls and monitoring administrative activities to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SQL query patterns indicative of SQL injection attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing business processes while maintaining the integrity of the import functionality.