CVE-2014-1837 in Komento
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the StackIdeas Komento (com_komento) component before 1.7.4 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to "checking new comments."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2019
The CVE-2014-1837 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the StackIdeas Komento component for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.7.4 and resides in the component's handling of new comment checking functionality. 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 vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input during the comment validation process, creating an opening for malicious actors to inject harmful code that executes in the target user's browser environment.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Komento component's comment processing mechanisms. When users submit comments or when the system checks for new comments, the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This failure to implement proper sanitization techniques creates a persistent vector for attackers to embed malicious payloads within comment fields. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws resulting from inadequate input validation and output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting comment content containing script tags or other malicious code that gets executed when other users view the affected comments.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1837 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious websites. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows threat actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of legitimate user sessions, potentially compromising access to sensitive data or system resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where users have administrative privileges or where the component handles sensitive user communications. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to persistent security breaches, as malicious scripts injected through comments can remain active until the affected component is updated or the comments are manually removed. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access or privilege escalation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to version 1.7.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additional mitigations should include implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party Joomla! components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date web application components and implementing robust input validation practices. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring for XSS patterns in user-generated content and establishing incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. Regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and input validation techniques remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.