CVE-2020-18477 in HuCart
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2021
SQL Injection vulnerability in Hucart CMS 5.7.4 via the purchase enquiry field found in the Message con_content field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2021
The CVE-2020-18477 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Hucart Content Management System version 5.7.4 that specifically targets the purchase enquiry functionality. This vulnerability exists in the Message con_content field where user input is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into database queries without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations by injecting malicious SQL commands through the purchase enquiry submission process, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which classifies it as a severe security weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database. The attack vector specifically exploits the Message con_content field where user-supplied data flows directly into SQL query construction without proper input sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages a common user interaction point - the purchase enquiry form - making it accessible to both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers who can exploit it during normal business operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-18477 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including unauthorized data modification, deletion of critical information, user credential exposure, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, create backdoor accounts, or extract sensitive customer information including personal details, payment information, and business-critical data stored in the database. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential access through phishing, as it enables unauthorized database access that could facilitate further compromise of the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a non-vulnerable version of Hucart CMS as soon as possible, while also implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additional protective measures include regular database access monitoring, implementation of least privilege principles for database accounts, and comprehensive input sanitization across all user-facing forms. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that all database interactions follow secure coding practices as recommended by OWASP and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection attacks.