CVE-2008-0514 in Glossary
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the Glossary (com_glossary) 2.0 component for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the catid parameter in a display action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0514 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the glossary component of mambo and joomla! content management systems. This security weakness exists in the index.php file of the com_glossary 2.0 component and specifically targets the catid parameter during display operations. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw stems from the component's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query constructions, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthorized database access and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic sql injection pattern where the catid parameter serves as the primary attack vector. When users interact with the glossary component to display entries, the application processes the catid value directly within sql queries without adequate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to craft malicious input strings that alter the intended sql query execution flow, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction layer, providing attackers with direct access to underlying data stores and system resources. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to cwe-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0514 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schema details, and confidential business data. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this weakness. Additionally, successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify or delete critical database entries, potentially disrupting service availability and data integrity. The vulnerability affects both mambo and joomla! platforms, indicating a widespread impact across multiple web application frameworks. From an attack tactics perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack technique of credential access and data extraction as outlined in the mitre attack framework, where attackers can gain unauthorized access to database resources through sql injection methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0514 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query approaches. System administrators should implement proper input sanitization measures that filter or escape special sql characters from user-supplied parameters before processing. The most effective remediation involves transitioning to prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from data values, preventing malicious input from altering sql execution paths. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protective layers against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar sql injection vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. The affected components should be updated to patched versions that address the specific input handling flaws, with proper security testing performed before deployment to ensure the fixes do not introduce new vulnerabilities or functionality disruptions.