CVE-2015-6513 in J2Store Extension
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the J2Store (com_j2store) extension before 3.1.7 for Joomla! allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) sortby or (2) manufacturer_ids[] parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2015-6513 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the J2Store e-commerce extension for Joomla installations running affected J2Store versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the J2Store extension's parameter handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit the sortby parameter or the manufacturer_ids[] array parameter to inject malicious SQL payloads directly into the database query execution flow. When the application processes these unvalidated parameters without proper escaping or parameterization, the injected SQL commands execute with the privileges of the database user, potentially allowing full database access and manipulation. This flaw operates at the application layer and directly impacts the data integrity and confidentiality of Joomla! installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6513 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can extract sensitive customer data, modify product catalogs, manipulate pricing information, and potentially gain administrative access to the Joomla! platform. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible e-commerce platforms. This weakness aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental flaw in input validation and database query construction.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. The attack surface is particularly concerning for e-commerce environments where sensitive financial and personal data resides, as the compromise of a single J2Store installation could lead to widespread data breaches. Organizations using Joomla! platforms with vulnerable J2Store extensions face significant risk of data exfiltration, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching to version 3.1.7 or later of the J2Store extension, which implements proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with SQL injection detection capabilities provides an additional layer of protection. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application database users have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege. Regular security audits of Joomla! extensions and core components remain essential for maintaining secure e-commerce environments. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.