Vulnerabilities > CVE-2014-7984 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls vulnerability in Joomla Joomla!

047910
CVSS 7.5 - HIGH
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
PARTIAL
Integrity impact
PARTIAL
Availability impact
PARTIAL
network
low complexity
joomla
CWE-264
nessus
NVD
Published: 2014-10-08
Updated: 2014-10-10

Summary

Joomla! CMS 2.5.x before 2.5.19 and 3.x before 3.2.3 allows remote attackers to authenticate and bypass intended restrictions via vectors involving GMail authentication.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Joomla
34

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Blue Boxing
    This type of attack against older telephone switches and trunks has been around for decades. A tone is sent by an adversary to impersonate a supervisor signal which has the effect of rerouting or usurping command of the line. While the US infrastructure proper may not contain widespread vulnerabilities to this type of attack, many companies are connected globally through call centers and business process outsourcing. These international systems may be operated in countries which have not upgraded Telco infrastructure and so are vulnerable to Blue boxing. Blue boxing is a result of failure on the part of the system to enforce strong authorization for administrative functions. While the infrastructure is different than standard current applications like web applications, there are historical lessons to be learned to upgrade the access control for administrative functions.
  • Restful Privilege Elevation
    Rest uses standard HTTP (Get, Put, Delete) style permissions methods, but these are not necessarily correlated generally with back end programs. Strict interpretation of HTTP get methods means that these HTTP Get services should not be used to delete information on the server, but there is no access control mechanism to back up this logic. This means that unless the services are properly ACL'd and the application's service implementation are following these guidelines then an HTTP request can easily execute a delete or update on the server side. The attacker identifies a HTTP Get URL such as http://victimsite/updateOrder, which calls out to a program to update orders on a database or other resource. The URL is not idempotent so the request can be submitted multiple times by the attacker, additionally, the attacker may be able to exploit the URL published as a Get method that actually performs updates (instead of merely retrieving data). This may result in malicious or inadvertent altering of data on the server.
  • Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
    This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The attacker would try to leverage a bug in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges. For instance an attacker would look for programs that write to the system directories or registry keys (such as HKLM, which stores a number of critical Windows environment variables). These programs are typically running with elevated privileges and have usually not been designed with security in mind. Such programs are excellent exploit targets because they yield lots of power when they break. The malicious user try to execute its code at the same level as a privileged system call.

Nessus

  • NASL familyCGI abuses
    NASL idJOOMLA_2519.NASL
    descriptionAccording to its self-reported version number, the Joomla! installation hosted on the remote web server is 2.5.x prior to 2.5.19. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities : - A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists due to improper sanitization of input before returning it to users. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this, via a specially crafted request, to execute arbitrary code in a user
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id73024
    published2014-03-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/73024
    titleJoomla! 2.5.x < 2.5.19 Multiple Vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(73024);
  script_version("1.14");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/11/26");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2014-7982", "CVE-2014-7984");
  script_bugtraq_id(66118, 66121);

  script_name(english:"Joomla! 2.5.x < 2.5.19 Multiple Vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of Joomla!.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote web server contains a PHP application that is affected by
multiple vulnerabilities.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"According to its self-reported version number, the Joomla!
installation hosted on the remote web server is 2.5.x prior to 2.5.19.
It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities :

  - A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists due to
    improper sanitization of input before returning it to
    users. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit
    this, via a specially crafted request, to execute
    arbitrary code in a user's browser session.
    (CVE-2014-7982)

  - A security bypass vulnerability exists that allows a
    remote attacker to bypass intended restrictions and log
    into the system using GMail credentials. (CVE-2014-7984)

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead
relied only on the application's self-reported version number.");
  # https://www.joomla.org/announcements/release-news/5537-joomla-2-5-19-released.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?3b322a6d");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://developer.joomla.org/security/580-20140303.html");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://developer.joomla.org/security/581-20140304.html");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to Joomla! version 2.5.19 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
  script_cwe_id(20, 74, 79, 442, 629, 711, 712, 722, 725, 750, 751, 800, 801, 809, 811, 864, 900, 928, 931, 990);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2014/02/21");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2014/03/06");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2014/03/14");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"potential_vulnerability", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:joomla:joomla\!");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"CGI abuses");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("joomla_detect.nasl");
  script_require_keys("installed_sw/Joomla!", "www/PHP", "Settings/ParanoidReport");
  script_require_ports("Services/www", 80);

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");
include("http.inc");
include("install_func.inc");

app = "Joomla!";
get_install_count(app_name:app, exit_if_zero:TRUE);

port = get_http_port(default:80, php:TRUE);

install = get_single_install(
  app_name : app,
  port     : port,
  exit_if_unknown_ver : TRUE
);

if (report_paranoia < 2) audit(AUDIT_PARANOID);

version = install['version'];
install_loc =  build_url(port:port, qs:install['path']);

fix = "2.5.19";

# Check granularity
if (version =~ "^2(\.5)?$") audit(AUDIT_VER_NOT_GRANULAR, app, port, version);

# Branch Check
if (!(version =~ "^2\.5\.")) exit(0,'The version of Joomla installed at '+install_loc+' is not 2.5.x.');

# Versions 2.5.x < 2.5.19 are vulnerable (There are Alpha versions of some builds)
if (version=~ "^2\.5\.([0-9]|1[0-8])([^0-9]|$)")
{
  order = make_list("URL", "Installed version", "Fixed version");
  report = make_array(
    order[0], install_loc,
    order[1], version,
    order[2], fix
  );
  report = report_items_str(report_items:report, ordered_fields:order);

  security_report_v4(port:port, extra:report,severity:SECURITY_HOLE, xss:TRUE);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_WEB_APP_NOT_AFFECTED, app, install_loc, version);
  • NASL familyCGI abuses
    NASL idJOOMLA_323.NASL
    descriptionAccording to its self-reported version number, the Joomla! installation running on the remote web server is 3.x prior to 3.2.3. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities : - A SQL injection vulnerability exists within weblinks-categories due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input to the category
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id73025
    published2014-03-14
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/73025
    titleJoomla! 3.x < 3.2.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(73025);
  script_version("1.22");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/01/02 11:18:37");

  script_cve_id(
    "CVE-2014-7981",
    "CVE-2014-7982",
    "CVE-2014-7983",
    "CVE-2014-7984"
  );
  script_bugtraq_id(
    77808,
    80037,
    80051,
    80065
  );
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"31459");

  script_name(english:"Joomla! 3.x < 3.2.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of Joomla!.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote web server contains a PHP application that is affected by
multiple vulnerabilities.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"According to its self-reported version number, the Joomla!
installation running on the remote web server is 3.x prior to 3.2.3.
It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities :

  - A SQL injection vulnerability exists within
    weblinks-categories due to improper sanitization of
    user-supplied input to the category 'ID' parameter
    before using it in SQL queries. An unauthenticated,
    remote attacker can exploit this to inject or manipulate
    SQL queries against the back-end database, resulting in
    the manipulation or disclosure of arbitrary data.
    (CVE-2014-7981)

  - An unspecified cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability
    exists due to improper validation of input before
    returning it to users. An unauthenticated, remote
    attacker can exploit this, via a specially crafted
    request, to execute arbitrary script code in a user's
    browser session. (CVE-2014-7982)

  - A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists within
    the index.php/single-contact script due to improper
    validation of input to the 'jform[contact_email]' POST
    parameter before returning it to users. An
    unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this, via a
    specially crafted request, to execute arbitrary script
    code in a user's browser session. (CVE-2014-7983)

  - A security bypass vulnerability exists that allows a
    remote attacker to bypass intended restrictions and log
    into the system using GMail credentials. (CVE-2014-7984)

  - A SQL injection vulnerability exists in the
    ModTagssimilarHelper::getList() function within file
    modules/mod_tags_similar/helper.php due to improper
    sanitization of user-supplied input before using it in
    SQL queries. An unauthenticated, remote attacker can
    exploit this to inject or manipulate SQL queries against
    the back-end database, resulting in the manipulation or
    disclosure of arbitrary data.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead
relied only on the application's self-reported version number.");
  # https://www.joomla.org/announcements/release-news/5538-joomla-3-2-3-released.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?559a3e03");
  # https://developer.joomla.org/security/578-20140301-core-sql-injection.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?356cb20e");
  # https://developer.joomla.org/security/579-20140302-core-xss-vulnerability.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?e5e7e44a");
  # https://developer.joomla.org/security/580-20140303-core-xss-vulnerability.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?47f311a4");
  # https://developer.joomla.org/security/581-20140304-core-unauthorised-logins.html
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?b9bf48e7");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to Joomla! version 3.2.3 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:F/RL:U/RC:ND");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:F/RL:U/RC:X");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_cwe_id(20, 74, 79, 442, 629, 711, 712, 722, 725, 750, 751, 800, 801, 809, 811, 864, 900, 928, 931, 990);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2014/02/06");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2014/03/06");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2014/03/14");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:joomla:joomla\!");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"potential_vulnerability", value:"true");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"CGI abuses");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("joomla_detect.nasl");
  script_require_keys("installed_sw/Joomla!", "www/PHP", "Settings/ParanoidReport");
  script_require_ports("Services/www", 80);

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");
include("http.inc");
include("install_func.inc");

app = "Joomla!";
get_install_count(app_name:app, exit_if_zero:TRUE);

port = get_http_port(default:80, php:TRUE);

install = get_single_install(
  app_name : app,
  port     : port,
  exit_if_unknown_ver : TRUE
);

if (report_paranoia < 2) audit(AUDIT_PARANOID);

version = install['version'];
install_loc =  build_url(port:port, qs:install['path']);

fix = "3.2.3";

# Branch Check
if (!(version =~ "^3\.")) exit(0,'The version of Joomla installed at '+install_loc+' is not 3.x.');

if (version == "3.2")
  audit(AUDIT_VER_NOT_GRANULAR, app, version);

# Versions 3.x < 3.2.3 are vulnerable (There are alpha builds of some versions)
if (
  version =~ "^3\.[01]([^0-9]|$)" ||
  version =~ "^3\.2\.[0-2]([^0-9]|$)"
)
{
  order = make_list("URL", "Installed version", "Fixed version");
  report = make_array(
    order[0], install_loc,
    order[1], version,
    order[2], fix
  );
  report = report_items_str(report_items:report, ordered_fields:order);

  security_report_v4(
    port     : port,
    extra    : report,
    severity : SECURITY_HOLE,
    xss      : TRUE,
    sqli     : TRUE
  );
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_WEB_APP_NOT_AFFECTED, app, install_loc, version);

References