CVE-2012-1018 in Mod Currencyconverter
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in includes/convert.php in D-Mack Media Currency Converter (mod_currencyconverter) module 1.0.0 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the from parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The CVE-2012-1018 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in the D-Mack Media Currency Converter module for Joomla! version 1.0.0, specifically within the includes/convert.php file. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a fundamental web application security weakness that has plagued software development for decades. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, particularly the 'from' parameter that is processed without proper validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing executable script code within the 'from' parameter of the currency converter module. When the vulnerable application processes this input and renders it back to the user interface without proper HTML escaping or output encoding, the injected malicious script executes in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in input validation and output sanitization practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Joomla! websites utilizing the affected currency converter module. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary JavaScript code against unsuspecting users, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated threats including phishing attacks, data exfiltration, or malware distribution. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the currency conversion functionality, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce or financial websites where user trust and data security are paramount.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-1018 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper HTML escaping before rendering them in web pages, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to add an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. Long-term solutions include upgrading to patched versions of the module, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten Project, which specifically addresses XSS vulnerabilities as one of the most critical web application security risks requiring immediate attention and mitigation strategies.