CVE-2023-0998 in Alphaware Simple E-Commerce System
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Alphaware Simple E-Commerce System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /alphaware/summary.php of the component Payment Handler. The manipulation of the argument amount leads to improper access controls. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-221733 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0998 represents a critical access control flaw within the SourceCodester Alphaware Simple E-Commerce System version 1.0, specifically affecting the payment handler component. This weakness exists in the /alphaware/summary.php file where the amount parameter is improperly validated, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict access to payment processing functions, allowing unauthorized users to manipulate transaction values and potentially bypass payment verification processes. The issue manifests when the system processes payment amounts without sufficient authorization checks, enabling attackers to submit arbitrary values that could result in financial loss or fraudulent transactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote manipulation of the amount parameter within the payment handler component, which directly impacts the payment processing workflow. This flaw falls under CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities where systems fail to properly enforce access restrictions on resources or functions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify payment amounts during transaction processing, potentially enabling them to process payments for reduced values or manipulate transaction totals without proper authorization. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to carry out the attack, making it particularly dangerous for online commerce platforms where financial transactions occur. The disclosed exploit code in VDB-221733 demonstrates how malicious actors can construct specific requests to manipulate the payment amount parameter and bypass normal payment validation procedures.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0998 extends beyond simple financial loss, as it compromises the integrity of the entire payment processing system and can lead to significant reputational damage for affected organizations. This vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform payment injection attacks, where unauthorized amounts are processed, potentially resulting in revenue loss or fraudulent transactions that may be difficult to trace and recover from. The compromised access control mechanisms could also enable attackers to gain insights into the system's payment processing logic, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. Organizations using this e-commerce platform face risks including financial fraud, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to inadequate protection of customer payment information and transaction data. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it can be exploited with minimal technical expertise and poses an immediate threat to system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and access control measures within the payment processing component. Organizations should immediately apply patches or code modifications that enforce strict validation of payment amount parameters, ensuring that all transaction values are properly authenticated and authorized before processing. The implementation of proper authentication checks and session management controls within the payment handler component is essential to prevent unauthorized manipulation of transaction values. Security measures should include input sanitization techniques that reject any malformed or unauthorized payment amount values, along with comprehensive logging and monitoring of payment transactions to detect suspicious activities. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their payment processing systems and implement network segmentation to limit access to critical payment components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage, as attackers may exploit this weakness to manipulate payment transactions without requiring elevated privileges. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other system components, while also ensuring that proper security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access to financial processing functions.