CVE-2023-1507 in E-Commerce System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2023
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester E-Commerce System 1.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /ecommerce/admin/category/controller.php of the component Category Name Handler. The manipulation of the argument CATEGORY leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-223411.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2023
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester E-Commerce System version 1.0, specifically targeting the Category Name Handler functionality in the administrative backend. The flaw manifests in the /ecommerce/admin/category/controller.php file where the CATEGORY parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability is classified as a client-side attack vector that can be exploited through web browsers when users interact with the compromised application interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within the CATEGORY parameter processing logic. When administrators or users access pages that display category names, the unsanitized input is directly embedded into the HTML output without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially formatted category names containing script tags or other malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 classification as a cross-site scripting flaw, specifically categorized as a reflected XSS vulnerability since the malicious content is reflected back to users through the application's response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to stealing administrator credentials, modifying product listings, altering pricing information, or redirecting users to phishing sites. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for online commerce platforms where administrative access can lead to complete system compromise. The public disclosure of this exploit through VDB-223411 indicates that threat actors have already developed working attack vectors against this specific vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or displaying it within the application interface, particularly for parameters like CATEGORY that are directly rendered in HTML contexts. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the E-Commerce System to a version that properly handles category name inputs. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary administrative functions can reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1213 technique for Data from Information Repositories, as it allows unauthorized access to administrative functions through client-side exploitation methods.