CVE-2010-1435 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE • 06/22/2021
Joomla! Core is prone to a security bypass vulnerability. Exploiting this issue may allow attackers to perform otherwise restricted actions and subsequently retrieve password reset tokens from the database through an already existing SQL injection vector. Joomla! Core versions 1.5.x ranging from 1.5.0 and up to and including 1.5.15 are vulnerable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1435 represents a critical security bypass flaw within Joomla! Core version 1.5.x, specifically affecting releases from 1.5.0 through 1.5.15. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that permit malicious actors to circumvent access controls and exploit existing SQL injection vulnerabilities. The flaw operates at the application level and demonstrates how insufficient privilege enforcement can compound existing security weaknesses to create more severe attack vectors. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under the broader category of access control bypass issues, which directly violates the principle of least privilege that should govern all web application security implementations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a pre-existing SQL injection vulnerability within the Joomla! authentication system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate database queries and extract sensitive information including password reset tokens without proper authorization. The vulnerability occurs due to improper sanitization of user input parameters that are subsequently used in database operations. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-89 which describes SQL injection vulnerabilities, and CWE-284 which addresses improper access control mechanisms. The specific nature of the bypass allows attackers to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to user account recovery mechanisms, effectively undermining the security of the entire authentication infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1435 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete account compromise and potential system infiltration. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to retrieve password reset tokens from the database, which can then be used to reset user passwords and gain unauthorized access to accounts. The security implications are particularly severe because password reset mechanisms are often considered trusted pathways within web applications, making this bypass particularly dangerous. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise user accounts systematically, potentially leading to full system compromise if administrator accounts are targeted. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks, and T1078 which covers valid accounts as a means of gaining access. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects the core authentication system, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking persistent access.
Organizations running vulnerable versions of Joomla development team, and implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and the potential consequences of delaying security updates. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious database access patterns and unusual authentication attempts. Security teams should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom applications. The incident serves as a reminder of how interconnected security flaws can become when access controls are not properly implemented, emphasizing the need for defense in depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors simultaneously.