CVE-2010-2535 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Back End in Joomla! 1.5.x before 1.5.20 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via administrator screens.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2535 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Joomla! version 1.5.x prior to 1.5.20 within its administrator backend components. This issue affects the content management system's administrative interface where authenticated users can potentially exploit the flaw to inject malicious scripts into administrator screens. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the administrative environment. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute malicious code within the context of an administrator's browser session, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields within Joomla! administrator screens that do not adequately validate or escape user-provided content. When administrators view pages containing maliciously crafted input, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, enabling attackers to perform actions with the privileges of the authenticated administrator. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications where untrusted data is improperly handled during web page generation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the backend administration interface where sensitive operations occur, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with legitimate administrative access but potentially elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2535 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete administrative control of the Joomla! website. An attacker with access to the backend can modify content, create new user accounts, alter security settings, and potentially escalate privileges further within the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to the administrative interface, which may be obtained through credential theft, social engineering, or other means. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique through web application exploitation, specifically targeting the credential access and persistence phases of an attack lifecycle. The affected version range indicates that this vulnerability was present for an extended period, exposing numerous installations to potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Joomla! installations to version 1.5.20 or later where the XSS flaws have been addressed. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation, output encoding, and regular security audits of administrative interfaces. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that no regressions occur in functionality while maintaining security improvements. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input attempts, as well as conducting regular security training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that could lead to credential compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the necessity of proper input sanitization in web applications to prevent exploitation of such persistent flaws.