CVE-2018-18573 in osCommerce
Summary
by MITRE
osCommerce 2.3.4.1 has an incomplete '.htaccess' for blacklist filtering in the "product" page. Remote authenticated administrators can upload new '.htaccess' files (e.g., omitting .php) and subsequently achieve arbitrary PHP code execution via a /catalog/admin/categories.php?cPath=&action=new_product URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18573 affects osCommerce version 2.3.4.1 and represents a critical security flaw in the administrative upload functionality. This issue stems from an incomplete .htaccess configuration that fails to properly filter blacklisted file extensions within the product page functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where authenticated administrators can manipulate file upload processes, creating a path for remote code execution.
The technical flaw manifests through a weakness in access control and file validation mechanisms within the osCommerce platform. When administrators access the /catalog/admin/categories.php?cPath=&action=new_product URI, they can potentially upload malicious .htaccess files that bypass existing security restrictions. The incomplete blacklist filtering allows attackers to omit certain file extensions like .php from the protection mechanisms, enabling the execution of arbitrary PHP code on the server. This vulnerability operates under the principle of privilege escalation and code injection, where legitimate administrative access is leveraged to gain unauthorized execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This creates a significant risk for organizations using osCommerce platforms, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the osCommerce platform to version 2.3.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the .htaccess filtering mechanism. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and file extension filtering should be enforced at multiple layers including web server configuration, application-level validation, and administrative access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) categories, while mapping to ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1505.003 (Server Software Component: Web Shell) through the code execution pathway. The remediation process should include comprehensive security auditing of all administrative upload functionalities and implementation of principle of least privilege for administrative accounts.