CVE-2017-8057 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
In Joomla! 3.4.0 through 3.6.5 (fixed in 3.7.0), multiple files caused full path disclosures on systems with enabled error reporting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8057 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Joomla! content management systems across versions 3.4.0 through 3.6.5. This issue arises from improper error handling mechanisms within multiple system files that inadvertently expose sensitive path information when error reporting is enabled on the server. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-209, which specifically addresses information exposure through error messages, making it a direct descendant of weak error handling practices. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gather detailed system information including absolute file paths, which serves as foundational intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Joomla codebase, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8057 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed path information can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the target system. Full path disclosure provides adversaries with precise knowledge of the server's file structure, which can be used to identify potential attack vectors through the attack technique known as path traversal exploitation. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where attackers seek to understand the target environment's structure. The exposure of system paths can enable attackers to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation, remote code execution, or data exfiltration. Additionally, this vulnerability can expose the specific version of Joomla! being used, which helps attackers identify known exploits and vulnerabilities specific to that version range, further compromising the system's security posture.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-8057 involves immediate upgrading to Joomla! version 3.7.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the path disclosure issue. System administrators should also implement proper error handling configurations by disabling detailed error reporting in production environments and instead implementing custom error pages that do not expose system information. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the error handling routines across multiple affected files, ensuring that error messages are properly sanitized before display. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to trigger these error conditions, as well as monitoring systems that can alert on unusual error message patterns. Security hardening practices should include regular security audits of error handling mechanisms and proper configuration management to prevent accidental enabling of detailed error reporting in production environments. Compliance with security standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks should include specific controls addressing information exposure through error handling, ensuring that organizations maintain robust defenses against this class of vulnerability.