CVE-2015-6939 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the login module in Joomla! 3.4.x before 3.4.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6939 resides within Joomla! version 3.4.x prior to 3.4.4, specifically affecting the login module component. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the login module's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are subsequently executed when the vulnerable application processes user input during authentication attempts. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the login module could potentially be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code into the application's response, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack surface extends beyond simple script injection to include more sophisticated exploitation techniques such as cookie theft, browser fingerprinting, and phishing attacks. The login module's exposure to this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it represents a core authentication component that users interact with regularly, providing attackers with persistent access vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6939 extends beyond immediate script execution to encompass broader security implications for Joomla versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system compromise, especially when users are authenticated and the application maintains session state information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Joomla! installations to version 3.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, particularly in authentication modules. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous login patterns and unusual script injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests targeting the login module and conduct regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices in web application development and deployment.