Forums / Reports of Security Problems / Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

Views: 158

Results 1 to 6 of 6
7 Nov 2025, 6:11 AM
#1
cstdenis2 avatar

cstdenis2

New Zenner

Join Date:
Feb 2018
Posts:
21
Plugin Contributions:
0

Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

Info

ZC 2.1 (also affects older versions I believe), PHP 8.4.13, 11.8.3-MariaDB-log
Modules: One page Checkout, MinimumOrderWholesale, POSM, saveforlater, sitemapXML, zonetable
Site URL: (dev site) https://new.bladescanada.ca/ - You can give PayPal the email "[email protected]" to log into a valid account.

Site files are fresh 2.1 but database has been upgraded several times over the years via zc_install/

The bug

If someone is:

  1. Not signed in to our website.

  2. Uses the "Check Out with PayPal" button.

  3. In PayPal chooses to pay without signing in.

  4. In PayPal enters any email address that matches an existing account on our website.

Then when they are brought back to our site they will be logged into that account without needing to enter a password. This is a huge security issue as anyone can log into any account so long as they know the email address, and then access previous orders and addresses.

7 Nov 2025, 11:13 AM
#2
swguy avatar

swguy

Administrator

Join Date:
Feb 2006
Location:
Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts:
10,729
Plugin Contributions:
56

Re: Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

They would have to pay for the order to get to this point, wouldn't they?

That Software Guy. My Store: Zen Cart Support
Available for hire - See my ad in Services
Plugin Moderator, Documentation Curator, Chief Cook and Bottle-Washer.
Do you benefit from Zen Cart? Then please support the project.

7 Nov 2025, 5:23 PM
#3
cstdenis2 avatar

cstdenis2

New Zenner

Join Date:
Feb 2018
Posts:
21
Plugin Contributions:
0

Re: Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

Technically no.

In my testing, when it returns to the site it goes back to the cart, not the order complete page. I think this is because it is merging the accounts saved cart with the not logged in one.

7 Nov 2025, 5:58 PM
#4
swguy avatar

swguy

Administrator

Join Date:
Feb 2006
Location:
Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts:
10,729
Plugin Contributions:
56

Re: Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

I should have explained better.

I'm trying to dup this, I get to the PayPal payment page, I enter the email [email protected], but unless I enter real credit card credentials, I can't get back to the cart, can I ?

That Software Guy. My Store: Zen Cart Support
Available for hire - See my ad in Services
Plugin Moderator, Documentation Curator, Chief Cook and Bottle-Washer.
Do you benefit from Zen Cart? Then please support the project.

7 Nov 2025, 11:37 PM
#5
cstdenis2 avatar

cstdenis2

New Zenner

Join Date:
Feb 2018
Posts:
21
Plugin Contributions:
0

Re: Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

yes you need to enter valid credit card data.

I can refund if it goes through, but my testing there with that email it goes back to cart.

16 Nov 2025, 11:55 PM
#6
cstdenis2 avatar

cstdenis2

New Zenner

Join Date:
Feb 2018
Posts:
21
Plugin Contributions:
0

Re: Security problem with PayPal Express Checkout auto login

Has this bug been confirmed? Is it being worked on?