CVE-2017-11364 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
The CMS installer in Joomla! before 3.7.4 does not verify a user s ownership of a webspace, which allows remote authenticated users to gain control of the target application by leveraging Certificate Transparency logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11364 affects Joomla on a web server, creating a pathway for unauthorized control of the application.
The technical flaw manifests through the installer's reliance on Certificate Transparency logs as the primary verification mechanism for confirming domain ownership. This approach proves inadequate because it allows authenticated users to manipulate or exploit the installation process without proper validation of their actual administrative rights to the target web space. The vulnerability creates a privilege escalation scenario where malicious actors can leverage legitimate installation procedures to gain full control over the target Joomla! application, effectively bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote authenticated attackers to completely compromise target Joomla installations, potentially enabling large-scale compromise of multiple websites.
The security implications align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1546 for persistence mechanisms. Organizations with vulnerable Joomla! installations face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authenticated access to the CMS, making it particularly concerning for environments where user accounts might be compromised or where insufficient access controls exist. The use of Certificate Transparency logs as verification mechanism creates an attack surface that can be manipulated by attackers with knowledge of the installation process.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to Joomla! version 3.7.4 or later, which addresses the installer verification issues through improved authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional access controls and monitoring around installation activities, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform installation procedures. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security audits should verify that installation processes are properly secured. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust verification mechanisms in installation and configuration processes, particularly for web applications where unauthorized installation can lead to complete system compromise.