CVE-2018-11328 : Security Advisory and Response

Joomla! Core prior to version 3.8.8 had a security flaw that could lead to a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of the user-info section in certain URI redirects.

Understanding CVE-2018-11328

This CVE entry highlights a security vulnerability in Joomla! Core versions preceding 3.8.8 that could potentially result in XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2018-11328?

CVE-2018-11328 is a security flaw in Joomla! Core versions before 3.8.8 that could be exploited to execute cross-site scripting attacks in specific scenarios involving URI redirects.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11328

The vulnerability in CVE-2018-11328 could allow malicious actors to execute XSS attacks by manipulating URI redirects that include user credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11328

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2018-11328 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Joomla! Core versions prior to 3.8.8 stems from the failure to properly escape the user-info section of URIs in certain redirect scenarios, potentially leading to XSS vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Joomla! Core
Affected Versions: Versions before 3.8.8

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited when a redirect is initiated with a URI containing a username and password, and the Location header cannot be utilized, allowing for XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-11328 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Joomla! Core to version 3.8.8 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict URI redirects that contain sensitive user information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Joomla! Core to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Joomla! to address known vulnerabilities.