CVE-2018-17858 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Joomla! before 3.8.13. com_installer actions do not have sufficient CSRF hardening in the backend.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17858 represents a critical security flaw in Joomla backend administrative interface. The flaw stems from insufficient Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms that are essential for preventing unauthorized actions executed on behalf of authenticated administrators. The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the lack of proper CSRF token validation during installer operations, potentially enabling malicious actors to perform unauthorized extension installations or modifications without administrator consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the com_installer component's failure to properly validate CSRF tokens during critical backend operations. When administrators access the installer interface to install, update, or remove extensions, the system should verify that requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions through proper token validation. However, in versions before 3.8.13, these validation checks were either absent or insufficiently implemented, creating a pathway for attackers to craft malicious requests that could be executed by authenticated administrators. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically affects the Joomla! backend administrative functionality, making it particularly dangerous for sites with active administrator sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and potentially devastating for Joomla! installations. Attackers could leverage this weakness to install malicious extensions, modify existing components, or even deploy backdoors through the installer interface. Since the vulnerability targets the backend administrative component, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The attack vector typically involves tricking an authenticated administrator into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link that automatically submits installer requests. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse the internet or visit untrusted websites, as the attack can occur without requiring any specialized knowledge of the target system's internal configuration.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1078 for valid accounts. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Joomla installations should also verify that all components have been properly updated and that CSRF protection mechanisms are functioning correctly. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing layered defense strategies to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting administrative interfaces.