CVE-2008-3228: Joomla/joomla platform Joomla! Doesn't Configure .htaccess To Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-mxr8-pcpg-m23j
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Advisory Summary

CVE-2008-3228 is a MODERATE joomla! doesn't configure .htaccess to vulnerability (General Security Weakness) affecting Joomla/joomla platform libraries in the Packagist ecosystem. The issue involves joomla! doesn't configure .htaccess to apply certain security checks that "block common exploits" to sef urls. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.5.4.

CVE-2008-3228 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2008-3228
GHSA Identifier GHSA-mxr8-pcpg-m23j
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification General Security Weakness
Affected Product Joomla/joomla platform
Package Ecosystem Packagist
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2008-3228

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Joomla/joomla platform dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

joomla/joomla-platform fixed: 1.5.4 
Upgrade joomla/joomla-platform to 1.5.4
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

inspect dependencies for joomla/joomla-platform

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2008-3228, inspect your project dependencies for Joomla/joomla platform:

inspect dependencies for joomla/joomla-platform

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Joomla/joomla platform in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.5.4), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under General Security Weakness. In Joomla/joomla platform, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Joomla! before 1.5.4 does not configure .htaccess to apply certain security checks that "block common exploits" to SEF URLs, which has unknown impact and remote attack vectors.

CVE-2008-3228 Affected Joomla/joomla platform Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.5.4
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
joomla/joomla-platform
 Packagist
< 1.5.4
1.5.4

References

NVD — CVE-2008-3228 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3228
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/442... WEB
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44206
Joomla/joomla platform Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/joomla/joomla-platform
web.archive.org/web/20080730154423/... WEB
https://web.archive.org/web/20080730154423/http://www.joomla.org/content/view/5180/1
www.joomla.org/content/view/5180/1... WEB
http://www.joomla.org/content/view/5180/1/1/1/#htaccess
Joomla/joomla platform Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/07/12/2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2008-3228?
CVE-2008-3228 is a security vulnerability in Joomla/joomla platform involving Joomla! doesn't configure .htaccess to apply certain security checks that "block common exploits" to SEF URLs under General Security Weakness.
Which Joomla/joomla platform versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.5.4 across affected packages: joomla/joomla-platform.
What version fixes CVE-2008-3228?
Upgrading to 1.5.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is joomla/joomla-platform affected?
Yes, joomla/joomla-platform is affected in releases prior to 1.5.4. Upgrade your dependency to 1.5.4 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2008-3228?
CVE-2008-3228 is classified under General Security Weakness.
How can I check Packagist dependencies for CVE-2008-3228?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for joomla/joomla-platform'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-mxr8-pcpg-m23j",
  "modified" : "2025-04-09T20:50:34Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-01T23:57:57Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2008-3228" ],
  "summary" : "Joomla! doesn't configure .htaccess to apply certain security checks that \"block common exploits\" to SEF URLs",
  "details" : "Joomla! before 1.5.4 does not configure .htaccess to apply certain security checks that \"block common exploits\" to SEF URLs, which has unknown impact and remote attack vectors.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "joomla/joomla-platform"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.5.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3228"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44206"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/joomla/joomla-platform"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20080730154423/http://www.joomla.org/content/view/5180/1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.joomla.org/content/view/5180/1/1/1/#htaccess"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/07/12/2"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2025-04-09T20:50:33Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2008-07-18T16:41:00Z"
  }
}