Executive Summary

CVE-2017-20256 is a SQL injection vulnerability found in Joomla Survey Force Deluxe version 3.2.4. It allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the 'invite' parameter in a GET request.

Attackers can craft URLs with malicious SQL payloads in the 'invite' parameter to manipulate the database, potentially extracting sensitive information without any authentication.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive database information by allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.

• Extraction of sensitive data from the database.
• Potential manipulation or corruption of database contents.
• Compromise of the integrity and confidentiality of the affected Joomla website's data.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability can be detected by monitoring for suspicious GET requests targeting the 'invite' parameter in the Survey Force Deluxe component URLs. Specifically, look for requests to URLs matching the pattern: index.php?option=com_surveyforce&task=start_invited&survey=[number]&invite=[SQL payload].

You can use network monitoring tools or web server logs to identify such requests. For example, using grep on web server logs to find suspicious SQL injection attempts:

• grep "option=com_surveyforce" /var/log/apache2/access.log | grep "invite="
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with SQL injection detection rules to alert on such patterns.

Additionally, manual testing can be performed by sending crafted GET requests with SQL payloads in the 'invite' parameter to see if the system is vulnerable.

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Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation steps include:

• Disable or uninstall the vulnerable Survey Force Deluxe 3.2.4 component if it is not essential.
• Apply any available patches or updates from the vendor that address this SQL injection vulnerability.
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block malicious requests containing SQL injection patterns targeting the 'invite' parameter.
• Restrict access to the vulnerable component by IP filtering or other access control methods until a patch is applied.

Monitoring logs for suspicious activity and alerting on exploitation attempts is also recommended.

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Compliance Impact

The SQL injection vulnerability in Joomla Survey Force Deluxe 3.2.4 allows unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive database information by injecting malicious SQL code. This unauthorized access to sensitive data could lead to violations of data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, which require safeguarding personal and sensitive information against unauthorized access and breaches.

Because attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive data without authentication, organizations using the affected component may face compliance risks, including potential data breaches, which are subject to regulatory reporting requirements and penalties under standards like GDPR and HIPAA.

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