CVE-2017-7984 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
In Joomla! 3.2.0 through 3.6.5 (fixed in 3.7.0), inadequate filtering leads to XSS in the template manager component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7984 affects Joomla! content management systems versions 3.2.0 through 3.6.5, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the template manager component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability specifically impacts the template management functionality where administrators can upload and manage template files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary javascript code into the application's response. The flaw stems from the application's inability to adequately sanitize template names, file paths, or other user-controllable parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages without proper encoding or validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates template-related parameters through the administrative interface or by directly submitting malformed requests to the template manager component. The insufficient filtering allows malicious payloads to be stored or executed in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially enabling unauthorized access to administrative functions, session hijacking, or data exfiltration. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where the malicious script persists in the application's database or configuration files. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges or a scenario where the application's template management component is accessible to unauthenticated users, though the latter case depends on the specific installation configuration and access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7984 extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the Joomla! installation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify website content, steal administrator credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence in the template manager component means that even after the initial exploitation, the malicious code could continue to execute whenever the affected template is loaded or manipulated. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple administrators might be affected, or where the template manager is exposed to untrusted users. The vulnerability's presence in versions through 3.6.5 indicates a prolonged period of exposure, allowing potential attackers to develop and refine exploitation techniques over time. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, website defacement, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7984 primarily focus on immediate patching to Joomla installation. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched version to ensure that legitimate template functionality remains intact while addressing the security flaw. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing potential exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities in content management systems, ensuring rapid detection and containment of any successful attacks.