CVE-2018-17399 in Jimtawl
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Jimtawl 2.2.7 component for Joomla! via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17399 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Jimtawl 2.2.7 component for Joomla! content management system. This vulnerability resides within the parameter handling mechanism of the Jimtawl component, which is a popular third-party extension used for creating and managing testimonials and reviews on Joomla websites. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input passed through the id parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation practices within the Jimtawl component's database query construction process. When a user submits data containing the id parameter, the application directly incorporates this input into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to manipulate the intended query structure by injecting malicious SQL fragments through the id parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potentially full administrative control over affected Joomla installations. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive user information including credentials, personal data, and confidential business information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Jimtawl is a widely deployed component, meaning numerous Joomla installations could be vulnerable simultaneously. Additionally, the vulnerability's persistence in version 2.2.7 indicates a prolonged exposure window where administrators may have been unaware of the risk, potentially allowing for extended periods of unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risk. The primary mitigation involves applying the official security patch released by the Jimtawl component developers, which typically includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query construction. System administrators should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the id parameter. Network segmentation and database access controls should be reviewed to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regular security auditing and patch management processes, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.3 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery from potential compromise scenarios.