Joomla! 1.5 Security

Joomla!day Presentation

Utrecht, Netherlands

12 june 2009

Is Joomla! safe?

Is the World Wide Web Safe?

You know, I don't mean any disrespect, but I had to chuckle by the question "Is Joomla! not safe?" since it reminded me of the movie The Marathon Man when the dentist is pulling Dustin Hoffman's teeth out, asking "Is it safe?" and he's so desperate to get the Dentist to stop that he says Yes or No or What do you want to hear?

Is Joomla! safe?

Quote taken from:http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?f=432&t=318351&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

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I would say - anyone who tells a community that a Web site or a out of the box solution

is safe is not being responsible. No, it is not "safe" on the Internet.

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What is this presentation about?

Getting StartedHosting and Server SetupJoomla SetupSite AdministrationSite Recovery

Presentation overview

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Getting started

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Getting started

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Getting started

Some basic things before we go into details:Report (possible) hack to JSSThttp://developer.joomla.org/security/contact-the-team.html

Please don’t report hacks or proof-of-concepts out in the open, also report them to JSSTStay informed! Automatic Email Notificationhttp://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=JoomlaSecurityNews

RSS feedhttp://feeds.joomla.org/JoomlaSecurityNews

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Getting started

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Hosting and server set up

Shared hosting?

Or

Dedicated hosting?

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Hosting and server set up

“register_globals”

“open_basedir”

Configure Apache:Secure important areas with .htaccessUse mod_rewrite and mod_security to block PHP attacks

Configure MySQLImplement user accounts with “need-to-know” principle

Configure PHPUse PHP 5!Configure your php.ini file properly (most of the times limited with shared hosts)

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Hosting and server set up

Configure php.iniUse “disable_functions” to disable dangerous PHP functions that are not needed by your site.“Use PHP open_basedir”Don't use “PHP safe_mode” (it gives a false sense of security)Don't use “PHP register_globals”Don't use “PHP allow_url_fopen”. This option enables the URL-aware fopen wrappers that enable accessing URL object like files.

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Joomla! setup

Some basic rules to think about:Only install official Joomla! versions!Change the default administrator usernameProtect directories and filesMove crucial files outside public directoryhttp://docs.joomla.org/Security_and_Performance_FAQs#How_do_I_move_confidential_files_outside_of_public_html.3F

Ensure that all configurable paths to writable or uploadable directories

Protect your log directory (moving it out of document root or .htaccess protect it)

Adjust file and directory permissionsSet critical directories to 755

Set file permissions to 644

Remove unneeded files18

Joomla! setup

Before you install extensionsAlways backup (even on your test system)Always test before you install on your life serverCheck for extension vulnerabilitiesDownload from trusted sitesUser beware! Check the code qualityTest! Test! Test!Remove junk files (all that is not needed)Avoid encrypted code

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Joomla! setup

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Site administration

Use well-formed passwordsMaintain a strong site backup processMonitor crack attempts (tripwire, SAMHAIN)Perform manual intrusion detection (manual logfile scan)Stay current with security patches and upgrades

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Site administration

Get help the right wayFollow a logical and rigorous recovery process Reset your administrator password (and all admins/super admins)Find exploit attempts using the *NIX shell

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Site recovery

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Links

Documentation wiki : http://docs.joomla.org/Category:Security_Checklist

Joomla! Security Strike Team (JSST): http://developer.joomla.org/security.html

Report issues to JSST : http://developer.joomla.org/security/contact-the-team.html

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Links

Joomla! related

www.joomla.org

developer.joomla.org/security.html

www.secunia.org

www.milw0rm.com

Sites to put RSS feeds on

http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=JoomlaSecurityNews

General

www.us-cert.gov

www.frsirt.com

Operating systems related

www.debian.org/security

www.openbsd.org/security

www.redhat.org/apps/support

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Sites to monitor when you take security seriously

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Questions?