CVE-2013-3719 in aiContactSafe
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the aiContactSafe component before 2.0.21 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2019
The CVE-2013-3719 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the aiContactSafe component for Joomla websites that utilize this contact management component. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple attack surfaces within the component's functionality.
This XSS 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 operates by failing to properly sanitize or validate user input that gets reflected back to users in the component's web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The aiContactSafe component, designed for handling contact form submissions and user communications, becomes a potential attack vector for sophisticated social engineering campaigns and data exfiltration attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3719 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the component's functionality and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the browser context of legitimate users, potentially leading to complete session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the Joomla! platform. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that aiContactSafe is commonly used for business communications, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise corporate or personal data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the official Joomla ecosystem.