CVE-2007-0387 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in models/category.php in the Weblinks component for Joomla! SVN 20070118 (com_weblinks) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the catid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0387 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Joomla SVN version 20070118 and resides in the models/category.php file, making it a targeted attack vector that exploits improper input validation mechanisms within the web application's database interaction layer. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the application's SQL query execution by injecting malicious SQL commands through the catid parameter, which serves as the primary entry point for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the catid parameter processing logic. When the application receives a catid value from user input without proper validation or escaping, it directly incorporates this untrusted data into SQL query construction. This primitive form of input handling creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the intended query behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application input validation and data sanitization processes. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP request parameters, making it accessible to remote threat actors without requiring privileged access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. This level of access enables comprehensive system compromise including but not limited to unauthorized data extraction, database schema enumeration, privilege escalation, and potential persistence mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive user credentials, administrative accounts, and other confidential information stored within the Joomla installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0387 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction practices. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as literal values rather than executable code. The recommended approach involves updating to patched versions of Joomla! that address this specific vulnerability, as the original codebase contains fundamental flaws in input handling that cannot be effectively mitigated through workarounds. Security measures should include input sanitization at multiple layers, including web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, and comprehensive database access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms will aid in detecting exploitation attempts and providing forensic evidence for incident response activities. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in maintaining application integrity and protecting against persistent threats in web-based environments.