CVE-2020-22274 in JomSocial
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2020
JomSocial (Joomla Social Network Extention) 4.7.6 allows CSV injection via a customer's profile.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-22274 affects JomSocial version 4.7.6, a popular Joomla social networking extension that enables users to create community-driven websites with features like user profiles, groups, and messaging. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited to compromise user data and system integrity. The vulnerability specifically manifests through CSV injection attacks, which occur when user-controllable data is improperly handled during CSV export operations within the customer profile management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation within the JomSocial extension's data export functionality. When users create or modify their profiles, certain fields may contain malicious payloads that, when exported to CSV format, can execute unintended commands within spreadsheet applications. This occurs because spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc automatically interpret certain characters and prefixes in CSV data as commands rather than literal text. The vulnerability exploits this behavior by injecting malicious formulas or commands that execute when the CSV file is opened, potentially leading to remote code execution or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can facilitate broader attacks within the Joomla ecosystem. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user profiles, potentially accessing sensitive personal information, login credentials, or communication data stored within the JomSocial extension. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that JomSocial is widely deployed across various websites, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking mass exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1236, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File" and is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and security teams. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to JomSocial version 4.7.7 or later, which includes patches addressing the CSV injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures, particularly for user-generated content that may be exported to CSV formats. Additional defensive measures include disabling CSV export functionality for sensitive user data, implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious data patterns, and conducting regular security audits of all Joomla extensions. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data sanitization and input validation in web applications, particularly when handling user-controllable data that may be exported to potentially vulnerable formats.