CVE-2019-8228 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
in Magento prior to 1.9.4.3 and Magento prior to 1.14.4.3, an authenticated user with limited administrative privileges can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into transactional email page when creating a new email template or editing existing email template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2024
This vulnerability exists in Magento e-commerce platforms prior to versions 1.9.4.3 and 1.14.4.3, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that allows authenticated users with limited administrative privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code into transactional email templates. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the email template creation and editing interfaces. When administrators create or modify email templates, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied content before rendering it in the email context, creating an avenue for persistent cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of email template fields where users can inject script tags or other malicious code that executes when the template is rendered in email clients or web browsers. This flaw operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers with limited administrative access to escalate their privileges and potentially compromise the entire Magento installation. The attack vector specifically targets the transactional email system which is frequently used for customer communications, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or conduct phishing campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS exploitation as it provides attackers with the ability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of the vulnerable application. When combined with other attack techniques, this vulnerability can serve as a foothold for more extensive compromise of the Magento platform and underlying systems. The vulnerability affects the core email template functionality which is critical for e-commerce operations, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate customer communications and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack requires minimal privileges, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited by users with basic administrative rights rather than requiring full system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the official security patches released by Magento for versions 1.9.4.3 and 1.14.4.3, which include enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms for email template content. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization procedures and ensure that all user-supplied content in email template fields undergoes strict validation before being stored or rendered. Security measures should include regular monitoring of email template modifications, implementation of web application firewalls, and enforcement of least privilege access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their Magento installations and maintain up-to-date security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering attacks that could be facilitated by this vulnerability.