CVE-2019-9063 in Auction Website Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Auction website script 2.0.4 allows parameter tampering of the payment amount.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9063 affects PHP Scripts Mall Auction website script version 2.0.4 and represents a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized parameter tampering within the payment processing system. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the auction platform's payment handling components, allowing malicious actors to manipulate transaction values through direct parameter modification. The vulnerability specifically targets the payment amount field, which is typically passed as a parameter during the checkout process, making it susceptible to manipulation by attackers who can alter the monetary value of transactions before they are processed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied parameters within the payment processing workflow. When users proceed to make payments through the auction website, the system relies on client-side or server-side parameters that define the transaction amount. The absence of robust validation controls means that attackers can modify these parameters directly in the HTTP request, potentially reducing payment amounts to zero or increasing them beyond legitimate transaction limits. This flaw falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of insecure parameter handling that violates fundamental web application security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple financial loss, as it creates potential for widespread exploitation across multiple auction transactions within the platform. Attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct unauthorized transactions, potentially leading to revenue loss for the auction platform operators, fraudulent activities, and compromised financial integrity of the entire system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for commercial auction platforms that process numerous transactions daily. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the payment system without requiring advanced penetration testing skills or specialized tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9063 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and parameter sanitization throughout the payment processing pipeline. Organizations should enforce server-side validation of all transaction parameters, implement proper cryptographic signing of payment data, and establish robust session management controls to prevent unauthorized parameter modification. The implementation of proper access controls and transaction logging mechanisms can help detect suspicious activities and provide forensic evidence for security incident response. Additionally, regular security testing including penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's architecture, aligning with the security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper input validation in preventing financial manipulation attacks that can compromise entire payment ecosystems.