CVE-2010-2514 in Com Jfaq
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the JFaq (com_jfaq) component 1.2 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the question parameter in an add2 action to index.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2018
The CVE-2010-2514 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the JFaq component version 1.2 for Joomla content management system where the JFaq component is installed, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to exploit client-side security weaknesses in web browsers.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the JFaq component's code. When users submit questions through the add2 action functionality, the component fails to properly sanitize or escape the question parameter before processing or displaying it within the web page context. This lack of proper input sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to users through the web application's response without being stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious websites, and data exfiltration. Attackers can craft specially formatted question parameters containing JavaScript code that executes in the context of legitimate users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information. The vulnerability particularly affects Joomla! installations where the JFaq component is enabled and accessible, making it a significant concern for websites that rely on this popular content management system for their operations.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of established frameworks such as CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on JavaScript execution within web browsers. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization within the JFaq component. Additionally, administrators should ensure all Joomla! installations are updated to versions containing patches for this vulnerability, as the component's developers likely released security updates to address this specific XSS flaw. The broader implications highlight the importance of maintaining up-to-date web application components and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.