CVE-2019-18650 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Joomla! before 3.9.13. A missing token check in com_template causes a CSRF vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18650 represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness within the Joomla administrative interface. The issue stems from the absence of proper token validation mechanisms that should normally protect against unauthorized requests originating from external domains or malicious actors attempting to manipulate the system through forged user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the com_template component fails to verify the presence and validity of anti-CSRF tokens during critical template modification operations. This omission allows attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to originate from authenticated administrators, leveraging the trust relationship between the user interface and backend processes. The flaw specifically impacts the template management functionality where users can modify template files, settings, and configurations through the administrative dashboard. Without proper token verification, any authenticated user session can be exploited to execute unauthorized template changes that could potentially lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for Joomla installation running vulnerable versions where administrators have access to the template management features, potentially affecting thousands of websites and applications relying on this CMS platform.
The weakness manifests as a failure to implement proper input validation and session management controls that are fundamental requirements for preventing cross-site request forgery attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw represents a critical gap in the application's security architecture where proper token-based authentication mechanisms are absent from critical administrative functions. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or advanced technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Joomla installations to verify that all instances have been properly updated and that no legacy versions remain operational. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious template modification activities, and ensuring that administrative sessions are properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and timely patch management to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in widely used software platforms.