CVE-2018-17859 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been found in Joomla! versions prior to 3.8.13. Insufficient validations in the com_contact component could permit the submission of emails in forms that are disabled.

Understanding CVE-2018-17859

This CVE identifies a security issue in Joomla! that could potentially allow the submission of emails in disabled forms due to inadequate checks in the com_contact component.

What is CVE-2018-17859?

CVE-2018-17859 is a vulnerability in Joomla! versions before 3.8.13 that arises from insufficient validations in the com_contact component, enabling the submission of emails in disabled forms.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17859

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to submit emails through forms that are intended to be disabled, potentially leading to unauthorized access or other security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17859

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

An issue was discovered in Joomla! before 3.8.13 where inadequate checks in com_contact could allow mail submission in disabled forms.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: Joomla! versions prior to 3.8.13

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass form restrictions and submit emails through disabled forms, potentially compromising the security of the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-17859 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Joomla! to version 3.8.13 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Disable the com_contact component if not essential for operations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Joomla! and all its components to the latest versions.
Implement strict validation checks on form submissions to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and security updates provided by Joomla! promptly to address known vulnerabilities.