CVE-2019-8157 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Magento 2.2 prior to 2.2.10, Magento 2.3 prior to 2.3.3 or 2.3.2-p1. An authenticated user can manipulate downloadable link and cause an invocation of error handling that acceses user input without sanitization.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in Magento versions prior to the patched releases represents a significant security risk that exploits the platform's error handling mechanisms to execute malicious scripts in users' browsers. The flaw specifically affects authenticated users who can manipulate downloadable links, creating a persistent XSS vector that can compromise multiple users who access the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user input during error processing, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when the system encounters specific error conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of downloadable link parameters that trigger the application's error handling routines. When an authenticated user crafts malicious input and submits it through downloadable link functionality, the system processes this input through error handling pathways without proper input validation or sanitization. This design flaw creates a persistent XSS condition where the malicious code becomes stored within the application's data structures and executes whenever the error handling mechanism is invoked. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, which are fundamental security principles that should be enforced at multiple layers of the application stack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the context of the victim's browser. An authenticated attacker with access to downloadable link functionality can craft payloads that persist across multiple user sessions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the same system. The attack requires minimal privileges since it only necessitates authentication to the Magento platform, making it an attractive target for both internal and external threat actors seeking to exploit the system's trust relationships.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of official patches provided by Magento, specifically upgrading to versions 2.2.10, 2.3.3, or 2.3.2-p1. Additional mitigations include implementing robust input validation at all entry points, enforcing strict output encoding for dynamic content, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious links. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive penetration testing to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other application components and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized modifications to downloadable content.