CVE-2020-11074 in PrestaShop
Summary
by MITRE
In PrestaShop from version 1.5.3.0 and before version 1.7.7.6, there is a stored XSS when using the name of a quick access item. The problem is fixed in 1.7.7.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-11074 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the PrestaShop e-commerce platform that affects versions ranging from 1.5.3.0 through 1.7.7.5. This security weakness resides in the quick access functionality where administrators can create custom navigation items for their store management interface. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts into the quick access item names, which are then stored in the database and executed whenever the affected page is loaded by other administrators or users with similar privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms that should sanitize user-provided data before persistence, creating a persistent threat vector within the administrative dashboard.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding within the quick access module of PrestaShop. When administrators create or modify quick access items through the back office interface, the system fails to properly escape or validate special characters in the item name field. This allows attackers to inject HTML tags and JavaScript code that gets stored in the database without proper filtering. The stored payload executes in the context of other administrators' browsers when they navigate to pages containing the malicious quick access entries, making this a classic stored XSS attack vector. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode output that can lead to XSS attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-11074 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or extract sensitive administrative information from the compromised system. Since the vulnerability requires administrative access to exploit initially, it represents a privilege escalation risk that can be particularly damaging in environments where multiple administrators have access to the system. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code persists and can affect any administrator who views the affected pages, potentially leading to prolonged unauthorized access to the e-commerce platform. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to further system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately update their PrestaShop installations to version 1.7.7.6 or later, which includes the necessary input validation patches. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of quick access module usage and review existing quick access entries for potential malicious code. The fix implemented in version 1.7.7.6 typically involves enhanced input sanitization routines that properly escape special characters before storing user-provided data in the database. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct regular security audits of administrative interfaces to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where privileged access can lead to significant security breaches. Organizations should also establish regular patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications.