CVE-2020-27478 in Simplcommerce
Summary
by MITRE • 04/30/2024
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability found in Simplcommerce v.40734964b0811f3cbaf64b6dac261683d256f961 thru 3103357200c70b4767986544e01b19dbf11505a7 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted script to the search bar feature.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2025
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists in the Simplcommerce platform within the search bar functionality, representing a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application. The vulnerability affects versions ranging from the specific commit hash 40734964b0811f3cbaf64b6dac261683d256f961 through 3103357200c70b4767986544e01b19dbf11505a7, indicating a range of affected releases that likely share common input validation flaws. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which directly maps to the core issue of inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. The attack vector involves a remote unauthenticated user who can craft malicious script payloads and submit them through the search bar interface, exploiting the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. When users interact with search results containing malicious scripts, the injected code executes in their browsers, creating a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions and data. The operational impact extends beyond simple script execution to include potential data exfiltration, modification of application behavior, and establishment of backdoors through the browser-based attack surface. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely heavily on user input for search functionality, where the lack of proper input sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted payloads.
The implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can leverage the search functionality to deliver malicious payloads that exploit user trust in legitimate application interfaces. Organizations using affected Simplcommerce versions face significant risk of user compromise and potential data breaches, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because search bars are commonly used features that typically receive high volumes of user input, making this vulnerability both easily exploitable and potentially widespread in impact. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their application security posture, as it represents a fundamental flaw in input handling that could affect other similar components within the platform.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly within search functionality. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls with XSS protection rules and implement content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security updates and patch management are essential to address the vulnerability, while input validation should be strengthened to prevent malicious payloads from being processed. The solution must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader architectural issues related to secure input handling, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being rendered in web responses. Additionally, security awareness training for developers regarding secure coding practices and regular penetration testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles.