CVE-2011-4804 in Com Obsuggest
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the obSuggest (com_obsuggest) component before 1.8 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the controller parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The CVE-2011-4804 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the obSuggest component of Joomla! versions prior to 1.8. This vulnerability resides in the component's handling of user-supplied input through the controller parameter in the index.php script, creating an exploitable path traversal condition that enables attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict directory navigation sequences, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file access paths through the use of standard directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot).
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in how the Joomla content management system ecosystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4804 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive system files including configuration files that may contain database connection strings, administrator credentials, or other critical system information. The vulnerability can also facilitate further attacks such as remote code execution if combined with other weaknesses, or enable attackers to gain insights into the system architecture and configuration that could be used for more sophisticated attacks. This represents a significant threat to Joomla! installations running vulnerable versions of the obSuggest component, as it provides an entry point for attackers to escalate their privileges and access confidential data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This classification indicates that the flaw involves inadequate restrictions on file access paths that could allow attackers to navigate to unauthorized directories. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the directory traversal to discover and exfiltrate sensitive files. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Joomla! version 1.8 or later where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing input validation controls, and applying web application firewalls to filter out suspicious directory traversal sequences. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify all instances of the vulnerable component and ensure proper access controls are in place to limit potential damage from such vulnerabilities.