CVE-2023-23753
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-23753 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the Visforms Base Package extension for Joomla 3. Attackers can exploit this to execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially reading, modifying, or deleting database content. All Joomla 3 sites using the vulnerable Visforms extension are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Visforms Base Package for Joomla
📦 What is this software?
Visforms by Vi Solutions
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including data theft, data destruction, privilege escalation, and potential remote code execution through database functions.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration from the Joomla database including user credentials, sensitive form submissions, and site configuration data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and prepared statements are implemented, though database access may still be possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via concatenated queries makes exploitation straightforward for attackers with basic SQL knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.0.6 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://vi-solutions.de/en/announcements/867-security-announcement-cve-2023-23754
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into Joomla admin panel. 2. Navigate to Extensions > Manage > Update. 3. Update Visforms Base Package to version 3.0.6 or later. 4. Alternatively, download the update from the vendor website and install via Extensions > Manage > Install.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Visforms Extension
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable extension until patching is possible
Navigate to Extensions > Manage > Manage in Joomla admin, find Visforms Base Package, and disable it
Web Application Firewall Rules
allImplement WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting Visforms endpoints
Add rules to block SQL keywords in POST/GET parameters to /index.php?option=com_visforms
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and parameterized queries in custom code
- Restrict database user permissions to minimum required for application functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the Visforms extension version in Joomla admin panel under Extensions > Manage > Manage, or check the /administrator/manifests/packages/pkg_visforms.xml file version attribute.Check Version:
grep 'version' /path/to/joomla/administrator/manifests/packages/pkg_visforms.xmlVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Visforms version is 3.0.6 or higher in the extension manager, and test form submissions for SQL injection attempts.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL errors in Joomla logs
- Multiple failed login attempts via forms
- Unexpected database queries in MySQL logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL keywords to /index.php?option=com_visforms
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="joomla.log" AND ("SQL syntax" OR "database error" OR "com_visforms")🔗 References
- https://blog.asturhackers.es/sql-injection-en-visforms-base-package-for-joomla-3-0-5-cve-2023-23753
- https://vi-solutions.de/en/announcements/867-security-announcement-cve-2023-23754
- https://blog.asturhackers.es/sql-injection-en-visforms-base-package-for-joomla-3-0-5-cve-2023-23753
- https://vi-solutions.de/en/announcements/867-security-announcement-cve-2023-23754
