CVE-2013-3933 in JoomShopping
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the JoomShopping (com_joomshopping) component before 4.3.1 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the user_name parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2019
The CVE-2013-3933 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the JoomShopping component for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 4.3.1 and exposes web applications to remote code execution through malicious script injection. The flaw specifically targets the user_name parameter in the index.php file, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit user sessions and manipulate web content. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output, a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing HTML or JavaScript code and submits it through the vulnerable user_name parameter. When the Joomla! application processes this input without proper sanitization or encoding, the malicious script gets executed within the context of the victim's browser session. This allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, defacing web pages, or executing arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3933 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire user sessions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Since JoomShopping is a popular e-commerce component, the exploitation could lead to financial fraud, customer data theft, and disruption of online commerce operations. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code that redirects customers to phishing sites, captures credit card information, or modifies product listings to manipulate prices. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the system or knowledge of the internal network structure to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for online retail platforms that rely heavily on user trust and data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 4.3.1 or later, which addresses the input validation issues in the user_name parameter handling. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper HTML encoding of user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, and employ Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to execute malicious scripts through the web interface. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while security awareness training for developers should emphasize proper input validation and output encoding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.