CVE-2019-18608 in Cezerin
Summary
by MITRE
Cezerin v0.33.0 allows unauthorized order-information modification because certain internal attributes can be overwritten via a conflicting name when processing order requests. Hence, a malicious customer can manipulate an order (e.g., its payment status or shipping fee) by adding additional attributes to user-input during the PUT /ajax/cart operation for a checkout, because of getValidDocumentForUpdate in api/server/services/orders/orders.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-18608 affects Cezerin version 0.33.0, a Node.js-based e-commerce platform that exposes a critical security flaw in its order processing logic. This issue stems from improper input validation and attribute handling during order modification operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing PUT requests to the /ajax/cart endpoint, where user-supplied data can conflict with internal order attributes, allowing attackers to overwrite critical order information. The root cause lies in the getValidDocumentForUpdate function within the api/server/services/orders/orders.js file, which fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming attributes before applying them to existing order documents. This flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation that directly violates security principles and creates opportunities for data integrity compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper attribute filtering and validation mechanisms in the order update process. When a user submits a checkout request through the PUT /ajax/cart operation, the system accepts all incoming attributes without distinguishing between user-facing fields and internal system attributes. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can inject conflicting attribute names that correspond to critical order fields such as payment status, shipping fees, or order totals. The vulnerability operates at the data processing layer, where the system's document update mechanism does not properly isolate user input from internal system attributes, allowing unauthorized modification of order metadata. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20: Improper Input Validation and CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting, though it specifically manifests as a data integrity issue rather than injection or scripting attack. The vulnerability can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts, as it allows attackers to manipulate order data without requiring elevated privileges, and T1566.001: Phishing, as it could be exploited through social engineering to manipulate checkout processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification to potentially compromise the entire e-commerce transaction system's integrity and financial accuracy. An attacker could manipulate payment statuses to mark orders as paid without actual payment processing, create false shipping records, or alter order totals to their financial advantage. This vulnerability particularly threatens businesses relying on Cezerin for order management, as it could lead to revenue loss, customer disputes, and potential regulatory compliance issues. The financial implications are significant since order modification could result in unauthorized refunds, incorrect inventory tracking, or fraudulent charge adjustments. Additionally, the vulnerability may affect audit trails and compliance reporting, as modified order information could compromise the integrity of financial records and transaction logs. The impact is further compounded by the fact that this vulnerability can be exploited by any authenticated user, potentially including malicious customers or compromised accounts, making it a particularly concerning issue for e-commerce platforms handling sensitive transactional data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-18608 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and attribute filtering mechanisms within the order processing system. Organizations should implement strict attribute whitelisting for order update operations, ensuring that only predefined, safe attributes can be modified through user input. The getValidDocumentForUpdate function must be enhanced to explicitly filter out internal system attributes from user-supplied data, preventing conflicts between user input and critical order fields. Implementing proper access controls and validation checks during PUT /ajax/cart operations will help prevent unauthorized modifications to order information. Security measures should include input sanitization, attribute validation, and proper document update mechanisms that separate user-facing attributes from internal system attributes. Organizations should also consider implementing audit logging for all order modification operations, creating detailed records of changes made to order information. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, specifically addressing the need for input validation and data integrity protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on data handling mechanisms will help prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles, while implementing proper error handling and validation will ensure that the system maintains data consistency even when processing potentially malicious input.