CVE-2020-10240 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Joomla! before 3.9.16. Missing length checks in the user table can lead to the creation of users with duplicate usernames and/or email addresses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10240 represents a critical security flaw in Joomla framework, creating a potential vector for unauthorized system access and user account manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the database level where user registration processes fail to enforce unique constraints on username and email address fields. When users attempt to register with duplicate identifiers, the system does not properly validate these inputs against existing records in the user table. This weakness allows malicious actors to exploit the registration process by creating multiple user accounts with identical usernames or email addresses, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should maintain user uniqueness. The vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input validation as classified by CWE-20, specifically addressing the lack of proper checks for duplicate entries in user registration forms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user account duplication, creating significant risks for system integrity and user authentication security. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate user access controls, potentially creating accounts with elevated privileges or exploiting the duplicate entries to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability also impacts the reliability of user authentication systems since duplicate identifiers can lead to confusion in authentication processes and make it difficult for legitimate users to maintain unique access credentials. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation tactics, as it enables unauthorized account creation and potential identity theft within the Joomla! environment.
Organizations running vulnerable versions of Joomla 3.9.16 or later versions, implementing additional validation checks at the application level, and conducting thorough audits of existing user accounts to identify and remove any duplicate entries that may have been created through this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and validation processes, as recommended by OWASP security standards, can help prevent similar issues in other applications and strengthen overall system security posture.