CVE-2016-1000271
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the 'cat[0]' parameter in the DT Register Joomla extension. It affects all Joomla installations running vulnerable versions of the DT Register extension. Attackers can potentially access, modify, or delete database content without authentication.
💻 Affected Systems
- Joomla DT Register extension
📦 What is this software?
Dt Register by Dthdevelopment
Dt Register by Dthdevelopment
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, privilege escalation, and potential remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access, extraction of sensitive information (user credentials, personal data), and potential site defacement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and database permission restrictions in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit is publicly available and requires no authentication. Simple HTTP request with malicious SQL payload in cat[0] parameter.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: DT Register 3.1.12 (Joomla 3.x) / 2.8.18 (Joomla 2.5)
Vendor Advisory: https://extensions.joomla.org/extension/dt-register/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your Joomla site and database. 2. Update DT Register extension to version 3.1.12 (Joomla 3.x) or 2.8.18 (Joomla 2.5). 3. Verify the update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allAdd input validation to sanitize the cat[0] parameter before processing.
Modify /index.php controller to validate and sanitize cat[0] parameter using Joomla's JFilterInput class
Access Restriction
linuxRestrict access to vulnerable endpoint via .htaccess or web server configuration.
Add 'Deny from all' to .htaccess for /index.php?controller=calendar&format=raw
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns in the cat[0] parameter.
- Disable or remove the DT Register extension if not essential for site functionality.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check DT Register extension version in Joomla admin panel under Extensions > Manage.Check Version:
Check Joomla admin panel or examine /administrator/components/com_dtregister/dtregister.xml file version tag.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify DT Register version is 3.1.12 or higher (Joomla 3.x) or 2.8.18 or higher (Joomla 2.5).📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing 'controller=calendar&format=raw&cat[0]=' with SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, etc.)
- Unusual database query patterns from web application
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET requests to vulnerable endpoint with SQL payloads in parameters
SIEM Query:
web.url:*controller=calendar* AND web.url:*cat[0]=* AND (web.url:*SELECT* OR web.url:*UNION* OR web.url:*INSERT* OR web.url:*DELETE*)