CVE-2017-20256 JoomPlace CVE debrief

Who should care

Administrators and security teams responsible for Joomla installations, particularly those using Survey Force Deluxe 3.2.4, should be aware of this vulnerability and take immediate action to protect their systems. This vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers, making it a high-risk issue that requires prompt attention.

Technical summary

CVE-2017-20256 is an SQL injection vulnerability in the invite parameter of Joomla Survey Force Deluxe 3.2.4. Attackers can send crafted GET requests to the component with malicious SQL payloads to execute arbitrary queries. The vulnerability has a CVSS vector of CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X, indicating a high severity score of 8.8.

Defensive priority

High priority due to high CVSS score and potential for data breaches

Recommended defensive actions

• Apply the latest patch or update for Joomla Survey Force Deluxe to version 3.2.5 or later
• Limit exposure by restricting access to the invite parameter
• Monitor for suspicious activity and implement compensating controls
• Review and update incident response plans to address potential SQL injection attacks
• Inventory Joomla installations and prioritize patching or mitigation for vulnerable versions

Evidence notes

The primary evidence for this vulnerability comes from the NVD and CVE.org records. The vulnerability affects Joomla Survey Force Deluxe 3.2.4 and has a CVSS score of 8.8. Defenders should verify the affected product and version, and review official sources for patching or mitigation guidance.

Official resources