CVE-2021-28126 in TranzWare e-Commerce Payment Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2021
index.jsp in TranzWare e-Commerce Payment Gateway (TWEC PG) before 3.1.27.5 had a Stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-28126 affects the TranzWare e-Commerce Payment Gateway (TWEC PG) software version prior to 3.1.27.5, specifically within the index.jsp component. This represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that persist in the system's database. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the payment gateway's web interface, creating an environment where malicious code can be stored and executed whenever the affected page is accessed. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is processed through the index.jsp file, which serves as a primary entry point for payment processing operations.
This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability operates by allowing an attacker to submit malicious input through the payment gateway's web forms or API endpoints, which is then stored in the application's database. When other users access the index.jsp page, the stored malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-079 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web page content. The attack vector requires an authenticated user to submit malicious data, but once stored, the vulnerability affects all users who access the affected page, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as man-in-the-middle operations, session fixation, or the installation of malware on victim machines. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive payment information, customer data, and potentially compromise the entire payment processing infrastructure. The stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active until manually removed from the database, providing attackers with persistent access to the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers can use the XSS to deliver malicious payloads that can compromise user sessions and escalate privileges within the payment gateway environment. The vulnerability also aligns with T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could potentially redirect users to malicious domains through the compromised interface.
Organizations using TWEC PG versions prior to 3.1.27.5 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and regular security audits of their payment processing systems. The recommended solution involves upgrading to the patched version 3.1.27.5 or later, which includes proper sanitization of user inputs and enhanced output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security scanning of web applications, and comprehensive monitoring of user activities can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as the affected systems could be used as launching points for broader attacks against the organization's payment infrastructure and customer data repositories.