CVE-2017-14596 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
In Joomla! before 3.8.0, inadequate escaping in the LDAP authentication plugin can result in a disclosure of a username and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14596 affects Joomla! content management systems prior to version 3.8.0 and specifically targets the LDAP authentication plugin component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of user authentication processes within the platform. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the LDAP plugin, creating a pathway for sensitive information disclosure that could compromise user credentials and system security. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize user inputs during LDAP authentication processes, leading to potential exposure of authentication details.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the LDAP authentication plugin's handling of user credentials and system responses. When users attempt to authenticate through LDAP, the system does not adequately escape or sanitize the output of authentication attempts, potentially allowing attackers to extract username and password information from error messages or response data. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, though in this case the exposure occurs internally within the application rather than through external injection. The flaw essentially creates a situation where the system's own authentication mechanisms become a vector for credential leakage, bypassing normal security controls that should protect sensitive data during processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14596 extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass broader security implications for Joomla! installations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise through lateral movement and privilege escalation. The disclosure of username and password combinations provides attackers with immediate access to legitimate user accounts, enabling them to perform actions within the system as authenticated users. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on LDAP authentication for user management, as it undermines the trust model that LDAP is designed to provide. The exposure could also facilitate further attacks through credential reuse across different systems, as many users employ the same passwords across multiple platforms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Joomla! version 3.8.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the escaping deficiencies in the LDAP plugin. Additionally, system administrators should review and harden LDAP authentication configurations to minimize potential exposure windows, including implementing proper logging and monitoring for authentication attempts. Security controls should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns and credential exposure attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices within authentication modules, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1550.001 for use of stolen credentials and T1550.002 for use of valid accounts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their authentication infrastructure and ensure that all plugins and extensions are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security monitoring to detect and respond to credential exposure attempts effectively.