CVE-2020-18158 in HuCart
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2021
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HuCart 5.7.4 via nickname in index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-18158 represents a cross site scripting flaw identified in the HuCart e-commerce platform version 5.7.4. This security weakness specifically manifests through the nickname parameter within the index.php file, creating a potential vector for malicious code injection attacks. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered within the web application interface. The affected parameter exists in the context of user profile management where nicknames are displayed to other users, making this a classic example of reflected cross site scripting as described in the CWE-79 framework. This vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious nickname containing script code that gets reflected back to users browsing the platform. When the vulnerable index.php page processes this input without proper sanitization or output encoding, the malicious payload executes in the victim's browser context. The attack typically involves the attacker sending a specially crafted URL containing the malicious script to unsuspecting users, who then inadvertently execute the code when their browser renders the page. This type of vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves social engineering through malicious links, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as outlined in OWASP top ten category A03:2021. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core user management feature, potentially allowing attackers to compromise multiple user accounts if they can successfully deliver the malicious payload.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-18158 extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to complete session compromise and unauthorized access to customer data within the HuCart platform. Attackers could potentially steal user session cookies, gain access to personal information, or manipulate the shopping cart functionality to conduct fraudulent transactions. The vulnerability affects the platform's integrity and user trust, as users may be unaware that their browsers are executing malicious code without their knowledge. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in e-commerce environments where sensitive financial and personal data is processed. The attack surface is broad as any user who interacts with the nickname functionality could become a victim, making it a significant risk to the platform's overall security posture. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, where proper input validation should have been implemented at multiple layers of the application architecture. Organizations using HuCart 5.7.4 should prioritize immediate remediation through proper parameter sanitization, output encoding, and input validation measures to prevent exploitation of this cross site scripting vulnerability.