CVE-2020-18475 in HuCart
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2021
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilty exists in Hucart CMS 5.7.4 is via the mes_title field. The first user inserts a malicious script into the header field of the outbox and sends it to other users. When other users open the email, the malicious code will be executed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2021
The CVE-2020-18475 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in Hucart CMS version 5.7.4 that demonstrates a sophisticated attack vector targeting email communication systems. This vulnerability specifically exploits the mes_title field within the messaging system, creating a persistent threat that can compromise multiple users within the platform's ecosystem. The flaw operates through a carefully orchestrated attack pattern where an initial malicious actor injects harmful script code into the header field of an outgoing message, effectively embedding the payload within the message structure itself.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack exploits the CMS's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious code to persist in the message title field and execute automatically when other users access their inbox. This particular variant demonstrates how email-based applications can become attack vectors for broader security compromises, as the malicious script execution occurs during normal user interaction with email content rather than through direct application exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizational security posture and user privacy. The attack chain begins with a single compromised user or malicious actor who can manipulate the email system to deliver malicious payloads to multiple recipients simultaneously. When other users open their emails containing the crafted message title, the embedded script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the victim's system. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that once the malicious payload is embedded, it can affect any user who accesses the compromised email, creating a scalable attack vector.
The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" and demonstrates how email-based attacks can be weaponized through content manipulation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent access points within the target environment. Organizations using Hucart CMS 5.7.4 face immediate risk of user compromise and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the message handling pipeline. The immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Hucart CMS that addresses the XSS vulnerability in the mes_title field processing. Additionally, organizations should implement strict content filtering and sanitization policies for all email headers and message fields, along with regular security auditing of email system components. Network-level protections such as email gateway filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth. Regular user security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening suspicious emails and the importance of maintaining updated software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.