CVE-2013-5583: Joomla! Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability in Joomla CMS
Summary
CVE-2013-5583: Joomla! Cross-site Scripting vulnerability. Affects joomla/joomla-cms versions < 3.1.6. Fixed in 3.1.6. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
Joomla! is a widely-used open-source content management system (CMS) that enables users to build and manage websites and online applications. It is known for its flexibility, extensibility, and user-friendly interface. However, like many web applications, Joomla! is susceptible to security vulnerabilities, including cross-site scripting (XSS) issues, which can compromise user data and site integrity.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5583 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw found in the libraries/idna_convert/example.php file of Joomla! version 3.1.5. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML into the application via the 'lang' parameter. If exploited, this could lead to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of users, data theft, or defacement of the website.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.1.6
This is the first release that contains the fix.
composer require joomla/joomla-cms:3.1.6Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can sanitize the input for the 'lang' parameter to prevent malicious scripts from being executed. This can be done by implementing input validation and escaping output in your PHP code, for example:
if (isset($_GET['lang'])) {
$lang = htmlspecialchars($_GET['lang'], ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');
} else {
$lang = 'default';
}
Conclusion
CVE-2013-5583 is a significant cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting Joomla! 3.1.5, which can lead to serious security issues if not addressed. It is crucial to update to version 3.1.6 or later to protect your site from potential attacks. Additionally, utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for joomla/joomla-cms →
FAQ
CVE-2013-5583 is a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Joomla! 3.1.5 that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts via the 'lang' parameter.
If you are using Joomla! version 3.1.5 or earlier, your installation is vulnerable. You can check your version in the Joomla! admin panel or by using tools like Vulert.
Not addressing this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential damage to your website's reputation.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using your composer.lock file. You can check your application for vulnerabilities without signing up at Vulert Playground.
If an immediate update is not possible, implement input validation and output escaping as a temporary workaround to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for joomla/joomla-cms.
