CVE-2020-10596 in OpenCart
Summary
by MITRE
OpenCart 3.0.3.2 allows remote authenticated users to conduct XSS attacks via a crafted filename in the users' image upload section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
OpenCart version 3.0.3.2 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the system through improperly sanitized user-uploaded image filenames. This vulnerability exists within the image upload functionality where the application fails to adequately validate and sanitize filename inputs before processing them, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw specifically affects the user image upload section, where uploaded files are processed and displayed within the administrative interface, making it a critical vector for persistent XSS attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly enables XSS attacks by allowing malicious code to be executed in the browser context of authenticated users. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk as it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that attackers with valid user credentials can leverage this weakness to compromise other users within the same system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates through the legitimate user upload functionality, making it harder to detect and distinguish from normal system behavior. The vulnerability can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious sites, all while appearing to originate from legitimate system functions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers can use this vector to establish persistent access and escalate privileges within the OpenCart environment. The technical implementation of the flaw occurs when the system processes uploaded filenames without proper sanitization, allowing special characters and script tags to persist in the file metadata or display paths. Attackers can craft filenames containing malicious JavaScript code that executes when the image is viewed or when the filename is rendered in administrative interfaces. This vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such attacks. The impact extends beyond simple XSS execution as it can enable further exploitation including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and establishment of backdoors within the web application environment. Organizations using OpenCart 3.0.3.2 should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the combination of remote execution capability and authenticated access requirements makes it a significant threat to system integrity. The fix should involve implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding for all user-supplied filenames, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped or removed before processing. Additionally, the system should enforce strict filename validation rules that prevent the inclusion of potentially malicious content while maintaining legitimate functionality for image uploads. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual upload patterns or attempts to exploit this vulnerability, particularly focusing on administrative user sessions where the attack would be most impactful. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing including dynamic analysis of file upload mechanisms and proper validation of all user inputs across all application components.