CVE-2024-21628 in PrestaShop
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2024
PrestaShop is an open-source e-commerce platform. Prior to version 8.1.3, the isCleanHtml method is not used on this this form, which makes it possible to store a cross-site scripting payload in the database. The impact is low because the HTML is not interpreted in BO, thanks to twig's escape mechanism. In FO, the cross-site scripting attack is effective, but only impacts the customer sending it, or the customer session from which it was sent. This issue affects those who have a module fetching these messages from the DB and displaying it without escaping HTML. Version 8.1.3 contains a patch for this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-21628 affects PrestaShop, a widely used open-source e-commerce platform that powers numerous online stores worldwide. This security flaw exists in versions prior to 8.1.3 and specifically targets the isCleanHtml method implementation within the platform's form handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied content before storage in the database. This oversight creates a potential cross-site scripting attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the platform's database.
The technical flaw manifests when user input containing malicious HTML or JavaScript code is submitted through forms that do not utilize the isCleanHtml method for validation. This method is designed to sanitize and clean HTML content to prevent injection attacks, but its absence in the affected versions allows potentially harmful payloads to persist in the database. The vulnerability's impact is categorized as low by the vendor due to the platform's use of Twig's built-in escape mechanism in the back office environment, which prevents the execution of stored XSS payloads in administrative interfaces. However, the vulnerability remains exploitable in the front office environment where user-facing content is displayed.
In the front office context, the stored XSS payload becomes effective and can execute within customer sessions, potentially compromising user security. The attack scope is limited to the specific customer who submitted the malicious content or the session from which it was sent, as the vulnerability does not enable broader cross-site exploitation. This targeted nature of the attack reduces the overall impact but still poses significant risks to individual user sessions and potentially sensitive customer data. The vulnerability's operational impact is further amplified when third-party modules are present that fetch these stored messages from the database and display them without proper HTML escaping, creating additional attack surfaces for exploitation.
The security implications extend beyond simple user session compromise, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate customer-facing content, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking or credential theft. Organizations using PrestaShop versions prior to 8.1.3 should immediately implement the patch provided in version 8.1.3, which addresses the core sanitization issue by properly implementing the isCleanHtml method. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1566, specifically targeting the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications through injection techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures including proper HTML escaping and input sanitization mechanisms.
Organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify any third-party modules that might be fetching and displaying user content without proper sanitization, as these components represent additional attack vectors. The patch implementation in version 8.1.3 resolves the vulnerability by ensuring that the isCleanHtml method is properly invoked during form processing, thereby preventing malicious payloads from being stored in the database. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual content submissions and establish proper input validation policies across all user-facing interfaces. Regular security audits and updates remain critical for maintaining the platform's security posture, particularly given the widespread adoption of PrestaShop in the e-commerce sector where user data protection is paramount.