CVE-2018-18573 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves a vulnerability in osCommerce version 2.3.4.1 that allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code.

Understanding CVE-2018-18573

This CVE was made public on November 5, 2018, and poses a risk to osCommerce version 2.3.4.1.

What is CVE-2018-18573?

The vulnerability in osCommerce version 2.3.4.1 allows authenticated administrators to upload new '.htaccess' files, excluding the '.php' extension, enabling them to execute arbitrary PHP code through a specific URI.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18573

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18573

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

osCommerce 2.3.4.1 lacks a complete '.htaccess' file for blacklist filtering on the "product" page, enabling the execution of arbitrary PHP code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: osCommerce
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: 2.3.4.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows authenticated administrators to upload new '.htaccess' files, excluding the '.php' extension, and execute arbitrary PHP code via the URI /catalog/admin/categories.php?cPath=&action=new_product.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18573 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by osCommerce promptly.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Restrict access to sensitive system areas.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the osCommerce installation.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms for administrative access.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the osCommerce installation is up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.