CVE-2006-4468 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Joomla! before 1.0.11, related to unvalidated input, allow attackers to have an unknown impact via unspecified vectors involving the (1) mosMail, (2) JosIsValidEmail, and (3) josSpoofValue functions; (4) the lack of inclusion of globals.php in administrator/index.php; (5) the Admin User Manager; and (6) the poll module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4468 represents a critical security flaw in Joomla! content management systems prior to version 1.0.11, encompassing multiple attack vectors that exploit insufficient input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-20 as improper input validation, where the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The affected components include several core functions and administrative modules that collectively create pathways for attackers to execute arbitrary code or manipulate system behavior. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple exploitation techniques may be possible, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as defenders cannot easily predict or prepare for all potential attack surfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters within the mosMail, JosIsValidEmail, and josSpoofValue functions, which are fundamental components in Joomla!'s email handling and validation processes. These functions fail to properly validate or escape user input, creating opportunities for injection attacks that could lead to cross-site scripting, remote code execution, or privilege escalation. The absence of proper input validation in these core functions creates a cascading effect where malicious data can propagate through the application stack. Additionally, the lack of inclusion of globals.php in administrator/index.php represents a critical design flaw that could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms or access administrative functions without proper authorization.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4468 extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access, as the vulnerability affects core administrative functions and user management components within the Joomla! framework. The Admin User Manager component, when compromised, could provide attackers with elevated privileges and full control over user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The poll module vulnerability further amplifies the risk by creating additional attack vectors that could be exploited to manipulate system behavior or inject malicious content into the application. This multi-vector vulnerability creates an environment where attackers can leverage one compromised component to gain access to others, significantly increasing the potential damage and attack surface.
Security practitioners should recognize that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1078 for valid accounts, as it enables attackers to exploit application weaknesses to gain unauthorized access. The lack of proper input validation in multiple functions creates a consistent pattern of vulnerability that could be exploited through various attack vectors including but not limited to SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to Joomla! 1.0.11 or later versions, applying security patches, and conducting thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the need for comprehensive security testing, particularly in administrative and user management components where privilege escalation opportunities exist.