CVE-2014-0793 in Komento
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the StackIdeas Komento (com_komento) component before 1.7.3 for Joomla! allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) website or (2) latitude parameter in a comment to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0793 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the StackIdeas Komento component for Joomla websites. The flaw specifically resides in the handling of user-supplied input within comment submission processes, creating a persistent security weakness that could be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same underlying flaw in input validation and sanitization. The first vector targets the website parameter within comment submissions, while the second targets the latitude parameter in the same context. Both parameters are processed without proper sanitization or encoding of user input, allowing attackers to inject malicious script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the component fails to properly escape or validate user-provided data before rendering it within web pages, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can be executed when legitimate users view affected comment content.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0793 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities through compromised user sessions. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface content, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The default URI mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates that the attack surface is not limited to specific pages but affects the core commenting functionality across the entire Joomla! site. This widespread exposure means that any website utilizing the affected Komento component could become compromised, potentially affecting thousands of users depending on the site's traffic and user base.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient input validation and output encoding. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to Komento version 1.7.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Joomla! installations, review existing comment content for potential malicious payloads, and implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of clicking on suspicious links or submitting untrusted content to comment systems, as social engineering aspects often compound the exploitation potential of such vulnerabilities.