CVE-2017-15965 in NS Download Shop
Summary
by MITRE
The NS Download Shop (aka com_ns_downloadshop) component 2.2.6 for Joomla! allows SQL Injection via the id parameter in an invoice.create action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15965 affects the NS Download Shop component version 2.2.6 for Joomla websites, handling various operations including invoice creation and management. The vulnerability specifically manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the invoice.create action, where the id parameter fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from the component's failure to properly escape or validate the id parameter received during invoice creation requests. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application incorporates the unvalidated data directly into SQL query constructions without appropriate sanitization measures. This design flaw allows threat actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a critical weakness in application security where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive capabilities to manipulate the underlying database structure. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to customer information, financial data, and other sensitive business records stored within the Joomla is widely used content management system with numerous installations across various industries, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking scalable exploitation opportunities.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe consequences in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique of Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, where attackers exploit web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and comprehensive security testing of all web components. The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to the patched version of the NS Download Shop component, implementing proper SQL query parameterization, and conducting thorough security assessments of all Joomla! extensions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the application ecosystem.