CVE-2006-6420 in Joomla Content Editor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in jce.php in the JCE Admin Component in Ryan Demmer Joomla Content Editor (JCE) 1.1.0 beta 2 and earlier for Joomla! (com_jce) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) img, (2) title, (3) w, or (4) h parameter, different vectors than CVE-2006-6166. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6420 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the JCE Admin Component of Joomla websites. The flaw exists in the jce.php file and specifically targets four distinct parameter injection points: img, title, w, and h parameters. These parameters are typically used for handling image attributes and dimensions within the editor interface, making them prime targets for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling unauthorized actions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a critical weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly sanitized before being included in web pages served to users. The attack vectors exploit the lack of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the JCE component's parameter handling. When users interact with the vulnerable editor interface, the malicious scripts injected through these parameters execute in the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent threat that can be leveraged for session hijacking, data theft, or malicious redirection. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution vector through web scripting means that attackers can craft malicious payloads that persist in the application's database or configuration, making the threat particularly dangerous for websites that rely heavily on user-generated content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the content editing environment itself. This can lead to unauthorized modification of website content, creation of malicious links, or redirection to phishing sites that appear legitimate to end users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the Joomla! content management system by compromising the integrity of the editor component, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain administrative access to affected websites. Organizations using vulnerable versions of JCE face significant risks including data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the parameters involved are commonly used in image handling operations, making the exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who understand web application security principles.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the JCE component to version 1.1.0 beta 3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components. Security measures should include regular security audits of third-party extensions, implementation of content security policies, and comprehensive monitoring of user-generated content for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and the need for web applications to sanitize all user inputs before processing or displaying them. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to identify and block malicious injection attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security patches and the importance of adhering to security best practices in web application development and deployment.
The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering and credential access through malicious content injection. The vulnerability's persistence and remote execution capabilities make it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with the same content management system. The lack of detailed information about the vulnerability's provenance underscores the importance of verifying security advisories from trusted sources and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring practices. Organizations should also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security frameworks, particularly regarding the protection of user sessions and the integrity of content management systems that serve as critical infrastructure components for many websites and web applications.