CVE-2015-9227 in AlegroCart
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in the get_file function in upload/admin2/controller/report_logs.php in AlegroCart 1.2.8 allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the file_path parameter to upload/admin2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9227 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the AlegroCart e-commerce platform version 1.2.8. This vulnerability specifically affects the get_file function located within the upload/admin2/controller/report_logs.php file, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote code execution. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the file_path parameter, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are then processed by the application's file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface of the platform, potentially granting attackers full control over the compromised system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file system operations. When an administrator with appropriate privileges accesses the report_logs.php controller, the get_file function processes the file_path parameter without adequate sanitization checks. This lack of input validation creates a path traversal and remote code execution scenario where an attacker can supply a malicious URL that gets executed within the context of the web server. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, specifically indicating that the application allows external input to influence code execution paths. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9227 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise and data breach potential. Since the vulnerability targets the administrative interface, successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, financial information, and system configuration details. The attack requires only an administrative account, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to vulnerabilities requiring user interaction or privilege escalation. Organizations using AlegroCart 1.2.8 are at risk of persistent threats where attackers can establish backdoors, modify product catalogs, alter pricing information, or conduct fraudulent transactions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers execution through command and script interpreters, as attackers can execute arbitrary PHP commands through the vulnerable file inclusion mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9227 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected AlegroCart version, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that reject any external URL references in file path parameters. The implementation of a whitelist approach for file operations, where only pre-approved local file paths are accepted, provides additional defense in depth. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit administrative access to only trusted IP addresses and systems. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the platform, particularly focusing on file handling functions and administrative interfaces. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns in file path parameters, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts.