CVE-2019-8152 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in in Magento 1 prior to 1.9.4.3 and 1.14.4.3, Magento 2.2 prior to 2.2.10, Magento 2.3 prior to 2.3.3 or 2.3.2-p1. An authenticated user with access to the wysiwyg editor can abuse the blockDirective() function and inject malicious javascript in the cache of the admin dashboard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2024
This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in Magento represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious javascript code into the system's cache, which then executes when other administrators view the admin dashboard. The vulnerability specifically affects Magento 1 versions prior to 1.9.4.3 and 1.14.4.3, as well as Magento 2 versions prior to 2.2.10, 2.3.3, or 2.3.2-p1, making it a widespread issue across multiple Magento product lines. The flaw resides in the blockDirective() function within the wysiwyg editor component, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing it for display in cached admin interfaces. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious code injected by one authenticated user persists in the system cache and can affect multiple subsequent users who access the admin dashboard, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring additional authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a specific attack pattern where an attacker with valid administrative credentials can leverage the wysiwyg editor's functionality to inject javascript payloads through the blockDirective() function. This function processes content that gets cached and subsequently rendered in the admin interface, creating a classic stored XSS scenario where the malicious script executes in the context of other administrators' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and the attack vector can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of administrators, or redirect users to malicious sites. The persistent nature of stored XSS in this context means that even after the initial injection, the malicious code continues to execute for all affected users until the cache is cleared or the system is patched.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on Magento for e-commerce operations, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise administrative privileges and potentially gain full control over the online store. Administrators who view the cached dashboard content become victims of the XSS attack, creating a chain reaction where the initial injection can propagate to multiple users within the organization. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other attack vectors, as it allows for privilege escalation and persistent access to sensitive administrative functions. Organizations may face data breaches, unauthorized modifications to product catalogs, customer information theft, and potential financial losses due to compromised transactions. The attack surface is broad since it affects multiple Magento versions and can be exploited by any authenticated user with wysiwyg editor access, making it a significant concern for businesses with multiple administrative users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Magento installations to the latest secure versions. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures within their wysiwyg editors, ensuring that all user-generated content undergoes proper security filtering before being cached or rendered in administrative interfaces. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only necessary personnel, reducing the attack surface. Regular security audits and monitoring of administrative interfaces should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary wysiwyg editor functionality can further reduce the risk. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious javascript payloads, and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any confirmed exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of rich text editing components in e-commerce platforms.