CVE-2018-19124 in PrestaShop
Summary
by MITRE
PrestaShop 1.6.x before 1.6.1.23 and 1.7.x before 1.7.4.4 on Windows allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary image files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2023
This vulnerability affects PrestaShop versions prior to 1.6.1.23 and 1.7.4.4 on Windows operating systems, presenting a critical security risk that enables remote attackers to perform arbitrary file writing operations. The flaw resides in the image handling functionality of the e-commerce platform, specifically within the file upload and processing mechanisms that are improperly validated on Windows systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation when processing image uploads, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and overwrite existing image files on the server. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that leverages the differences in how Windows handles file paths compared to other operating systems, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input can bypass intended security restrictions. The technical implementation involves the application failing to properly validate or sanitize file names and paths during image processing operations, particularly when dealing with image manipulation functions that are designed to work with specific file extensions and locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file modifications, as it provides attackers with the capability to overwrite critical system files, including images that may be referenced by the application's core functionality. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious image files that contain malicious code or to overwrite legitimate image files, potentially disrupting the application's normal operation or creating backdoor access points. The Windows-specific nature of this vulnerability means that the attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations running PrestaShop on Windows servers, as the platform's behavior differs significantly from Unix-like systems in how it processes file paths and handles special characters. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, both of which describe improper input validation leading to unauthorized access to files or directories outside of intended boundaries. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it an attractive target for automated attacks or mass exploitation campaigns.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched versions of PrestaShop 1.6.1.23 or 1.7.4.4, which contain proper input validation and sanitization measures for image file processing. Additional protective measures include implementing proper file upload restrictions, ensuring that only authorized file types are accepted, and implementing strict validation of file names and paths before any processing occurs. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious file upload patterns, while proper file permissions should be enforced to limit write access to image directories. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly when dealing with file operations in multi-platform environments. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their PrestaShop installations to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the file handling subsystems and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent similar issues in the future. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security testing across different operating system environments, as platform-specific behaviors can introduce unexpected security risks that may not be apparent during development or testing phases.