CVE-2020-9665 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
Magento versions 1.14.4.5 and earlier, and 1.9.4.5 and earlier have a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to sensitive information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2020
Magento is a widely deployed e-commerce platform that powers millions of online stores worldwide, making it a prime target for cyber adversaries seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9665 affects both the community and enterprise editions of Magento, specifically versions 1.14.4.5 and earlier, as well as 1.9.4.5 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the platform's handling of user input within product reviews and other user-generated content fields, creating a persistent XSS attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser.
The technical flaw manifests when user-supplied data containing malicious script tags is stored in the application's database without proper sanitization or encoding. When other users view the affected content, the stored script executes automatically in their browsers, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. This vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS (CWE-79) according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses the improper validation or sanitization of user-supplied data that is then rendered back to other users. The attack chain typically involves an attacker submitting malicious input through product review forms, comment sections, or other user input fields that are subsequently displayed to other users without adequate output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential harvesting, and even privilege escalation within the affected Magento instances. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to administrator accounts, modify product listings, manipulate customer data, or redirect users to phishing sites. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains effective until the malicious content is removed from the database, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms where user-generated content is common and frequently viewed by multiple users. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for credential access through social engineering and T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.
Organizations running affected Magento versions should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to protect their systems and customer data. The primary remediation involves upgrading to patched versions of Magento, specifically Magento 1.14.4.6 and 1.9.4.6 or later, which contain proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement proper content security policies, employ web application firewalls, and conduct regular security assessments of user input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application security, aligning with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and the principle of defense in depth. Regular security monitoring and user education about the risks of submitting untrusted content are also essential components of a comprehensive security posture for e-commerce platforms.