CVE-2014-7983 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in com_contact in Joomla! CMS 3.1.2 through 3.2.x before 3.2.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2022
The CVE-2014-7983 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Joomla! Content Management System versions 3.1.2 through 3.2.x before 3.2.3, specifically within the com_contact 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 allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users, creating a significant risk for both end users and website administrators who may be targeted through this vector.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the com_contact component of Joomla!. When users submit contact form data or when the component processes user-generated content, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the contact component could be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it may be exploitable through various submission methods including contact forms, user comments, or parameter manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface websites, or even escalate privileges within the affected Joomla CMS, making it a prime target for automated attacks. The fact that this vulnerability affected versions through 3.2.2 means that a significant portion of Joomla! installations were potentially exposed, with the risk being particularly high for websites that rely heavily on user-generated content through contact forms or community features.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application attacks, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation and data theft. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released by Joomla! for version 3.2.3, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, deploying content security policies, and conducting thorough security audits of all user input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards. Regular security updates and proper security monitoring are essential to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in production environments.