CVE-2020-10241 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Joomla! before 3.9.16. Missing token checks in the image actions of com_templates lead to CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10241 affects Joomla! content management systems prior to version 3.9.16 and represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the com_templates component. This issue stems from insufficient token validation mechanisms during image manipulation operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically targets the template management functionality where users with appropriate privileges can upload, modify, or delete image files through the administrative interface.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the lack of proper anti-CSRF token verification within the image handling routines of the com_templates module. When administrators or authorized users perform image-related operations such as uploading new template images or modifying existing ones, the system fails to validate the presence and authenticity of security tokens that should prevent unauthorized requests from being processed. This absence of token validation creates a condition where an attacker can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative sessions, bypassing the normal security controls that would otherwise prevent such operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized template image manipulations without requiring authentication credentials, potentially leading to significant security compromise. An attacker could upload malicious images that contain embedded code or exploit other vulnerabilities present in the template rendering process, or simply modify existing images to display inappropriate content. The flaw particularly affects users with administrative privileges who have access to the template management interface, making it a serious concern for organizations relying on Joomla! for their web presence.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which categorizes cross-site request forgery issues, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation and token verification can create exploitable conditions in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through web application manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to establish footholds within the target environment. The flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly minor security oversight in form validation and session management can create significant attack vectors.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Joomla installation.