CVE-2018-20717 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

An attack can occur in the orders section of PrestaShop prior to version 1.7.2.5 when an attacker gains access to a target store using a user role with the permissions of a Salesman or higher. The attacker can inject arbitrary PHP objects into the system and exploit an object chain to achieve Remote Code Execution.

Understanding CVE-2018-20717

This CVE involves a vulnerability in PrestaShop that allows attackers to execute remote code by injecting PHP objects.

What is CVE-2018-20717?

This CVE describes a security flaw in PrestaShop versions before 1.7.2.5 that enables attackers to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious PHP code.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20717

The vulnerability allows attackers to compromise the integrity and security of PrestaShop stores, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, and system manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20717

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to a lack of proper validation in the protection mechanism against serialized objects, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary PHP objects and execute remote code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: PrestaShop
Affected Versions: Prior to 1.7.2.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by gaining access to a target store with specific user role permissions.
They inject arbitrary PHP objects into the system and abuse an object chain to achieve Remote Code Execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20717 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PrestaShop to version 1.7.2.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict user permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user roles and permissions within PrestaShop.
Implement code review processes to identify and address vulnerabilities in the system.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by PrestaShop to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.