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Joomla has announced a quick fix for ALL versions of Joomla 1.5 prior and including 1.5.5, and you are urged to update your Joomla 1.5 installation immediatly to prevent your Joomla web site from being hacked.

This update is strongly recommended and has a high alert status!

There is a severe vulnerability in Joomla 1.5 (all versions including 1.5.5) that can under the right circumstances, allow a hacker full access to modify your web site by changing the admin password and being able to login with full access.

Update Information

• Project: Joomla!
• SubProject: com_user
• Severity: Critical
• Versions: 1.5.5 and all previous 1.5 releases
• Exploit type: Password Reset Forgery
• Reported Date: 2008-August-12
• Fixed Date: 2008-August-12

Description

A flaw in the reset token validation mechanism allows for non-validating tokens to be forged. This will allow an unauthenticated, unauthorized user to reset the password of the first enabled user (lowest id).

Typically, this is an administrator user. Note, that changing the first users username may lessen the impact of this exploit (since the person who changed the password does not know the login associated with the new password).

However, the only way to completely rectify the issue is to upgrade to 1.5.6 (or patch the /components/com_user/models/reset.php file).

For the full details, please go to the official Joomla web site at: http://developer.joomla.org/security/news/241-20080801-core-password-remind-functionality.html 

or to download a full version of Joomla 1.5.6 then please go here: http://www.joomla.org/content/view/5235/1/