CVE-2018-6879 in Website Seller Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Website Seller Script 2.0.3 uses the client side to enforce validation of an e-mail address, which allows remote attackers to modify a registered e-mail address by removing the validation code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6879 resides within the PHP Scripts Mall Website Seller Script version 2.0.3, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of user account management. This issue stems from a fundamental design decision that places trust in client-side validation mechanisms rather than implementing robust server-side verification processes. The script's architecture fails to enforce proper email address validation at the application layer, creating an exploitable weakness that directly impacts user authentication and account security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient server-side validation, where the system relies entirely on client-side JavaScript to validate email addresses before submission. This approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended validation checks. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers manipulate the client-side validation by removing or modifying the validation code, allowing them to register or modify email addresses without proper verification. This represents a direct violation of CWE-863, which addresses "Incorrect Authorization" and specifically targets scenarios where access control checks are performed incorrectly or bypassed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple email address modification, creating potential vectors for account takeover, spam abuse, and social engineering attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to register multiple accounts using invalid email addresses, potentially creating a foothold for further exploitation within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the platform, as users may receive notifications to invalid addresses or be unable to properly recover access to their accounts. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers "Phishing" and related social engineering tactics that can be amplified by compromised email validation systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of server-side validation controls that cannot be bypassed through client-side manipulation. The recommended approach involves enforcing email validation at the application server level, implementing proper verification mechanisms such as email confirmation tokens, and ensuring that all user input undergoes rigorous validation before being accepted into the system. Organizations should also implement rate limiting and monitoring for suspicious email address modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix should address the root cause by eliminating client-side validation as the sole mechanism for email verification, instead requiring server-side processing that includes proper cryptographic token generation and verification processes. This remediation approach aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ensures compliance with industry standards for secure web application development.