CVE-2020-9587 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
Magento versions 2.3.4 and earlier, 2.2.11 and earlier (see note), 1.14.4.4 and earlier, and 1.9.4.4 and earlier have an authorization bypass vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to potentially unauthorized product discounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw in Magento e-commerce platforms that affects multiple version ranges including 2.3.4 and earlier, 2.2.11 and earlier, 1.14.4.4 and earlier, and 1.9.4.4 and earlier. The vulnerability resides in the platform's access control mechanisms, specifically within the product discount functionality where unauthorized users can potentially manipulate pricing structures without proper authentication. This authorization bypass occurs at the application level where the system fails to properly validate user permissions when processing discount requests, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness to apply unauthorized discounts to products. The flaw is classified under CWE-285 which specifically addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, making it a direct violation of fundamental security principles that should prevent unauthorized access to protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user roles and permissions when processing discount-related requests within the Magento framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass the normal authentication flow, potentially allowing them to apply promotional discounts to products without proper authorization. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques where an attacker can leverage existing access to gain additional capabilities within the system. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized discounts as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security model, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate pricing data and potentially affect financial transactions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple major versions of Magento, indicating a widespread issue that has persisted across different release lines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected Magento versions, as it creates opportunities for financial loss through unauthorized discount applications and potential data integrity issues. Attackers could systematically apply discounts to high-value products, resulting in revenue loss for the organization while maintaining the appearance of legitimate transactions. The vulnerability also poses risks to business continuity and customer trust, as unauthorized modifications to product pricing could lead to confusion and potential legal issues. Organizations may face regulatory compliance challenges if financial data becomes compromised through such unauthorized modifications. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to attackers and increasing the potential for widespread impact across multiple Magento installations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of Magento that address the authorization bypass vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security controls such as enhanced monitoring of discount application activities and stricter access controls for administrative functions. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection while the system is being updated. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of existing discount policies and monitor for any suspicious discount application patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar authorization issues within the broader application ecosystem. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts of this vulnerability, as the financial implications could be substantial and require immediate remediation actions.