CVE-2015-1478 in J-ClassifiedsManager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CMSJunkie J-ClassifiedsManager component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the view parameter to /classifieds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The CVE-2015-1478 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the CMSJunkie J-ClassifiedsManager component for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input through the view parameter in the /classifieds endpoint, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected user browsers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the component's codebase, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed when other users view the affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the view parameter of the classifieds endpoint. When a victim browser requests this maliciously crafted URL, the vulnerable component fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before rendering it in the web page context. This allows the injected script to execute in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, enabling attackers to inject client-side scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the compromised Joomla! site. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal user sessions, modify content displayed to other users, redirect victims to phishing sites, or even escalate privileges if the affected users have administrative access. The vulnerability affects all versions of the J-ClassifiedsManager component prior to the security patch, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with classified listings. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication from the attacker and can be executed through simple web requests, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patch for the J-ClassifiedsManager component, implementing input validation controls at the web application firewall level, and conducting thorough security assessments of all installed Joomla installations can help identify similar weaknesses in other components or extensions that may present similar attack surfaces.