CVE-2025-22206 in JS Jobs Component
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2025
A SQL injection vulnerability in the JS Jobs plugin versions 1.1.5-1.4.2 for Joomla allows authenticated attackers (administrator) to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the 'fieldfor' parameter in the GDPR Field feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2025
This vulnerability resides within the JS Jobs plugin for Joomla, specifically affecting versions ranging from 1.1.5 through 1.4.2. The security flaw manifests as a SQL injection weakness that targets the GDPR Field functionality, which is designed to handle data protection compliance features. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning an attacker must first obtain administrative credentials to exploit the flaw. This authentication requirement significantly reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities, but the potential impact remains severe given the elevated privileges of administrative accounts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which represents SQL injection, a well-documented and critical weakness in web application security that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The technical exploitation occurs through manipulation of the 'fieldfor' parameter within the GDPR Field feature of the JS Jobs plugin. When an administrator interacts with this feature, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate the input received through the 'fieldfor' parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices and inadequate query parameterization, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the administrative account. The attacker can potentially extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even escalate their privileges within the Joomla installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with a persistent backdoor into the Joomla system through the administrative account. Given that the JS Jobs plugin is commonly used for job listing management, the compromised system could be used to manipulate job postings, access sensitive user data, or even redirect users to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates within legitimate administrative functions, making it harder to detect through standard security monitoring. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with administrative privileges, and T1566.001, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access. The compromise of administrative credentials combined with this SQL injection vulnerability creates a scenario where attackers can maintain long-term access to the system while operating under seemingly legitimate administrative activities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect their Joomla installations. The primary mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the latest version of the JS Jobs plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. Security administrators should also implement input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that all parameters received through user input undergo proper sanitization before being processed. Database query parameterization should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent direct concatenation of user input with SQL commands. Additionally, network-based security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious patterns in the 'fieldfor' parameter usage. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative accounts have minimal required permissions and that regular security audits are conducted to detect unauthorized access attempts. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.