CVE-2018-11501 in Website Seller Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Website Seller Script 2.0.3 has CSRF via user_submit.php?upd=2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11501 affects the PHP Scripts Mall Website Seller Script version 2.0.3, which represents a critical security flaw in web application development practices. This particular issue manifests as a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that exists within the user_submit.php script when processing the upd=2 parameter. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's anti-CSRF mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted requests that appear to originate from legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper CSRF token validation within the script's update functionality. When users navigate to the user_submit.php page with the upd=2 parameter, the application fails to verify the authenticity of the request source, creating an opening for attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. This weakness directly violates established security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the improper handling of cross-site request forgery scenarios. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised user sessions that leverage the victim's authenticated state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to perform administrative actions within the application environment. An attacker could leverage this flaw to modify user accounts, alter website content, or even escalate privileges within the system. The consequences become particularly severe when considering that the vulnerability exists in a website seller script, which typically handles sensitive user data, transaction information, and potentially administrative controls. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203 for the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple user sessions and its ability to bypass authentication mechanisms creates a significant risk for organizations relying on this script for their online business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core issue of insufficient CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement robust CSRF token generation and validation processes that ensure each user request contains a unique, unpredictable token that is verified against the user's session. The solution involves modifying the user_submit.php script to incorporate proper anti-CSRF measures, including the generation of tokens upon user authentication and their validation during all state-changing operations. Additionally, implementing proper HTTP headers such as Content Security Policy and ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting and monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires comprehensive code review and testing to ensure that all endpoints handling user data modifications include appropriate CSRF protection measures, with particular attention to the specific update functionality referenced in the vulnerability description.