CVE-2018-10068 in jDownloads Extension
Summary
by MITRE
The jDownloads extension before 3.2.59 for Joomla! has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2018-10068 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the jDownloads extension for Joomla websites to potential exploitation by malicious actors who can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The jDownloads extension serves as a file sharing and download management component for Joomla! content management systems, making it a critical element in many website infrastructures. The vulnerability specifically affects the extension's handling of user input within download descriptions, categories, and other editable fields where unfiltered content could be rendered back to users without proper sanitization.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the jDownloads extension codebase. When users submit content through the extension's interface, particularly in fields that support rich text or HTML content, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in subsequent web page displays. This allows attackers to embed malicious javascript payloads within download descriptions or category names that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected content. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws due to improper neutralization of input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of website content, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrator sessions, modify download content, or even escalate privileges within the Joomla! system. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where administrators frequently interact with download content or where the extension is used for sensitive file distribution. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreter techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10068 involve immediate upgrading of the jDownloads extension to version 3.2.59 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies to limit script execution, regular security audits of installed extensions, and monitoring of user-generated content for suspicious patterns. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script payloads, while security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all Joomla! installations to identify potentially affected extensions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party components and implementing robust input validation practices across all user-facing interfaces within web applications.