CVE-2018-20849 in eCommerce
Summary
by MITRE
Arastta eCommerce 1.6.2 is vulnerable to XSS via the PATH_INFO to the login/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-20849 affects Arastta eCommerce version 1.6.2 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited through the PATH_INFO parameter when accessing the login endpoint. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts are injected into web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters that are passed through the PATH_INFO component of the URL structure, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the PATH_INFO portion of the login URI. When the vulnerable application processes this input without adequate sanitization, the malicious script gets executed in the browser of any user who accesses the crafted URL or when the application renders the login page with the unsanitized input. This vulnerability specifically targets the login endpoint, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during authentication attempts or when users navigate to the login page, potentially capturing session cookies, credentials, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The attack vector leverages the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms that should normally filter or escape special characters in URL parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and potential full system compromise if attackers can leverage the executed scripts to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. Attackers could use this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect authenticated users to phishing sites, or inject malware into the browsing environment of victims. The vulnerability affects the authentication security model of the e-commerce platform, potentially undermining the trust and integrity of user sessions, which is critical for any online commerce system where user credentials and transaction data are handled. Organizations using this vulnerable version of Arastta eCommerce face significant risk of unauthorized access to customer accounts and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures that properly escape or filter PATH_INFO parameters before they are processed or rendered in the application's response. The fix should involve updating the application code to ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly URL parameters, undergoes proper sanitization before being used in any output context. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, and conduct thorough input validation across all application endpoints rather than just the login page. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, while also ensuring that all third-party components and libraries are updated to their latest secure versions. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shell, and T1566.001 which involves spearphishing through social engineering, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or conduct further attacks through compromised user sessions.