CVE-2018-17858 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in Joomla! versions prior to 3.8.13. The backend of com_installer lacks proper protection against CSRF attacks.

Understanding CVE-2018-17858

An issue was discovered in Joomla! before 3.8.13. com_installer actions do not have sufficient CSRF hardening in the backend.

What is CVE-2018-17858?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Joomla! versions before 3.8.13, where the com_installer backend is susceptible to CSRF attacks due to inadequate protection mechanisms.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17858

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks on Joomla! websites using affected versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17858

The technical details of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

Joomla! versions prior to 3.8.13 have a weakness in the com_installer backend that exposes them to CSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected systems: Joomla! versions before 3.8.13
Affected component: com_installer

Exploitation Mechanism

Lack of proper CSRF hardening in the backend of com_installer allows attackers to craft malicious requests and perform unauthorized actions on the Joomla! site.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-17858, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Joomla! to version 3.8.13 or later to patch the CSRF vulnerability.
Implement CSRF protection mechanisms in the Joomla! backend to prevent such attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit the security configurations of Joomla! installations.
Educate users and administrators about CSRF attacks and best practices to mitigate them.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Joomla! and apply them promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities.