CVE-2019-7895 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Magento 2.1 prior to 2.1.18, Magento 2.2 prior to 2.2.9, Magento 2.3 prior to 2.3.2. An authenticated user with admin privileges to layouts can execute arbitrary code through a crafted XML layout update.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Magento e-commerce platforms that affects multiple versions including Magento 2.1.x before 2.1.18, Magento 2.2.x before 2.2.9, and Magento 2.3.x before 2.3.2. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the XML layout update processing mechanism, which allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious code that gets executed on the server. The flaw specifically exploits the way Magento handles layout updates, particularly when processing XML files that define page structure and component placement. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94, which represents "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application" as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML layout update files that are processed by the Magento application. When an authenticated administrator with appropriate privileges modifies layout configurations, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the XML content, allowing malicious payloads to be embedded within the layout update structures. This creates a pathway for attackers to inject PHP code or other executable commands that get processed and executed by the web server. The vulnerability requires an existing administrative account to exploit, which means that the attack vector is typically an insider threat or a compromised administrative credential rather than a direct external attack. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially allow attackers to gain full control over the Magento installation, including access to customer data, payment information, and the ability to modify or delete critical application components.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7895 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities once they obtain administrative credentials. Organizations running affected Magento versions face significant risks including data breaches, financial fraud, and system availability disruptions. The vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive customer information, manipulate product catalogs, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the organization's network. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as a potential indicator of compromise when investigating security incidents, as it can be used to maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as it highlights how administrative interfaces can become attack vectors when proper sanitization controls are missing. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual layout update activities and maintain strict access controls for administrative accounts to prevent unauthorized exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases, which address the core XML parsing and validation issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit administrative access to the Magento application and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious XML content. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls, enabling multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting regular security audits of layout update configurations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent code injection vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should specifically target anomalous administrative activities and XML file modifications, while incident response procedures should include immediate isolation of affected systems and comprehensive forensic analysis to determine the full scope of potential compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and reduce the window of exposure to known vulnerabilities.