CVE-2007-0374 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in (1) Joomla! 1.0.11 and 1.5 Beta, and (2) Mambo 4.6.1, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter when cancelling content editing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0374 represents a critical sql injection flaw affecting content management systems including joomla! versions 1.0.11 and 1.5 Beta along with mambo 4.6.1. This vulnerability specifically manifests when users attempt to cancel content editing operations through the web interface. The flaw resides in how these platforms handle the id parameter during cancellation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the underlying database system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive data or user information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input submitted through the id parameter during content cancellation operations. When a user attempts to cancel editing of content, the system processes the id parameter without adequate input filtering mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal database access controls. This type of vulnerability maps directly to common weakness enumeration cwes 89 and 20, representing sql injection and input validation issues respectively. The attack vector follows established patterns described in the attack tree methodology where an attacker can manipulate the parameter to execute unauthorized database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. Attackers can potentially gain complete control over the database backend, extract sensitive information including user credentials, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the affected systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content management platform, potentially compromising all data stored within the database. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations depending on the nature of data stored within these systems. The impact is particularly severe given that content management systems often serve as central repositories for organizational information and user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0374 require immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions that address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in the future. Additionally, web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious sql injection patterns. Security hardening practices including disabling unnecessary database functions, implementing least privilege access controls, and regular security audits should be implemented. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the owasp top ten project and the software engineering institute secure coding guidelines to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.