CVE-2011-2892 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Joomla! 1.6.x before 1.6.2 does not prevent page rendering inside a frame in a third-party HTML document, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks via a crafted web site.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-2892 represents a critical security flaw in Joomla! content management system versions 1.6.x prior to 1.6.2. This issue stems from the absence of proper frame-busting mechanisms within the application's HTML response headers, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to execute clickjacking attacks against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically affects the rendering behavior of web pages when embedded within frames or iframes, which is a fundamental aspect of web application security that has been well-established in industry standards and best practices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the lack of X-Frame-Options HTTP response headers in Joomla interfaces within invisible or transparent frames, tricking users into performing unintended actions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1021, which specifically addresses insufficient protection against clickjacking attacks, and represents a classic example of how missing security headers can compromise user interaction integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2892 extends beyond simple user inconvenience to potentially serious security breaches that could result in unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of authenticated users. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by creating malicious websites that embed legitimate Joomla installations. The vulnerability particularly affects administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit the trust relationship between users and the web application.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the security patch released by Joomla installations are updated and properly configured with appropriate security headers. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical role that proper HTTP response headers play in protecting against modern web-based attack vectors, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreters that may be leveraged through such vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include proper header configuration as part of the overall security posture, particularly in web applications where user interaction and session management are critical components of the security architecture.