CVE-2017-18345 in Joomanager
Summary
by MITRE
The Joomanager component through 2.0.0 for Joomla! has an arbitrary file download issue, resulting in exposing the credentials of the database via an index.php?option=com_joomanager&controller=details&task=download&path=configuration.php request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2020
The CVE-2017-18345 vulnerability represents a critical arbitrary file download flaw within the Joomanager component for Joomla configuration file at configuration.php which typically contains database credentials, administrator passwords, and other sensitive configuration data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, a well-documented weakness in software security where input validation fails to properly restrict file access paths. The issue enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly retrieve critical system files without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple HTTP request that manipulates the component's controller logic to download files from arbitrary locations on the server filesystem. When an attacker sends a request to index.php?option=com_joomanager&controller=details&task=download&path=configuration.php, the component fails to validate the path parameter against legitimate access controls. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and path traversal protection within the download functionality, allowing attackers to specify absolute or relative paths that point to sensitive files beyond the intended download scope. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper input validation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage weak access controls to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18345 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as database credentials exposed through this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise. Once attackers obtain the database credentials, they can directly access and manipulate the Joomla installations using Joomanager component versions 2.0.0 and earlier, making it particularly dangerous as many legacy systems remain unpatched. The exposure of database credentials also enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the application, modify user accounts, and establish persistent access to the system. This vulnerability particularly affects web hosting environments where multiple Joomla! installations exist, as it allows attackers to systematically target vulnerable components across different sites. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage when such credential exposure occurs, as database access often contains personally identifiable information and business-critical data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18345 focus on immediate patching and access control improvements. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Joomanager component version 2.0.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and path restriction mechanisms. System administrators should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious download requests targeting sensitive files, particularly those containing configuration.php or other system configuration files. Additional protective measures include restricting file permissions on sensitive configuration files, implementing proper access controls on the web root directory, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files, as the vulnerability can be exploited automatically by scanning tools. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing Joomla! installations, while also verifying that proper access controls are in place to prevent similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented as part of ongoing security management practices to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.