Joomla! 'mosConfig_absolute_path' Parameter Remote File Include

critical Nessus Plugin ID 31095

Synopsis

The remote web server contains a PHP application that is affected by a remote file include vulnerability.

Description

The version of Joomla! running on the remote host is affected by a remote file include vulnerability due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input to the 'mosConfig_absolute_path' parameter before using it in the index.php script to include PHP code. Provided 'RG_EMULATION' is not defined in the configuration file (as would typically occur when upgrading from an older version) and the PHP 'register_globals' setting is disabled, an unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this issue to disclose arbitrary files or execute arbitrary PHP code on the remote host, subject to the privileges of the web server user ID.

Solution

Upgrade to Joomla! version 1.0.15 or later. Alternatively, edit the application's configuration.php file to disable 'RG_EMULATION'.

See Also

https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2008/Feb/207

http://www.nessus.org/u?fd9988be

Plugin Details

Severity: Critical

ID: 31095

File Name: joomla_mosconfig_absolute_path_file_include.nasl

Version: 1.27

Type: remote

Family: CGI abuses

Published: 2/15/2008

Updated: 4/11/2022

Configuration: Enable thorough checks

Supported Sensors: Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 5.9

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.5

Temporal Score: 6.1

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: Critical

Base Score: 9.8

Temporal Score: 8.7

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:W/RC:X

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:joomla:joomla%5c%21

Required KB Items: www/PHP, installed_sw/Joomla!

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 2/21/2008

Vulnerability Publication Date: 2/8/2008

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2008-5671

BID: 27795

CWE: 94