CVE-2004-2143 in Mambo Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the ReMOSitory Server add-on module to Mambo Portal 4.5.1 (1.09) and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the filecatid parameter in the com_remository option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2143 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ReMOSitory Server add-on module for Mambo Portal versions 4.5.1 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the way the application processes user input through the filecatid parameter when handling the com_remository option. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the vulnerable parameter, potentially compromising the underlying database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the filecatid parameter to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. This weakness enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially gaining elevated privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the Mambo Portal system, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's backend.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing Mambo Portal 4.5.1 or earlier versions with the ReMOSitory Server module. Attackers can exploit this weakness remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to public networks. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, data integrity violations, and service disruption. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors can target the application from anywhere on the internet, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to confidential information, including user credentials, business data, and system configurations stored in the database. The vulnerability also potentially enables attackers to escalate privileges and establish persistent access to the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2143 involve immediate patching of the Mambo Portal application to versions that address this SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as executable SQL code. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-supplied security patches or upgrading to supported versions of Mambo Portal that have addressed this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to unauthorized users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1190 indicates it falls within the category of exploitation of remote services, making it essential for organizations to maintain updated vulnerability management processes and security monitoring systems to detect and respond to such threats effectively.