CVE-2012-5455 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the language search component in Joomla! before 3.0.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, related to a "typographical error."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The CVE-2012-5455 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Joomla! content management systems prior to version 3.0.1, specifically within the language search component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability stems from a typographical error in the code implementation that fails to properly sanitize user input before processing it within the language search functionality. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the language search component where user-provided input is not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered back to users. This typographical error creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access pages containing the compromised search results. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can facilitate session hijacking, credential theft, and the redirection of users to malicious websites. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5455 is significant for Joomla versions face potential data breaches, user privacy violations, and reputational damage when attackers exploit this vulnerability to compromise user sessions or inject malicious content. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or elevated privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for widely accessible web applications. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor coding errors can create substantial security risks that affect the entire user base of a content management system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5455 involve immediate upgrading to Joomla installations and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through spearphishing attachments and T1566.002 for phishing with malicious links, highlighting the broader attack surface implications of such flaws.