CVE-2008-0517 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the Darko Selesi EstateAgent (com_estateagent) 0.1 component for Mambo 4.5.x and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the objid parameter in a contact showObject action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The CVE-2008-0517 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Darko Selesi EstateAgent component version 0.1 for Mambo 4.5.x and Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file and manifests through the objid parameter during contact showObject actions. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious sql commands through user input, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the component's parameter handling mechanism, creating an attack vector that can be exploited without requiring authentication or administrative privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly escape or validate the objid parameter before incorporating it into sql queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the sql injection occurs because the application directly concatenates user-supplied data into database queries without proper sanitization. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands including data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as sql injection, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it allows remote code execution through publicly accessible web interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0517 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive real estate data, customer information, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the affected web application. The vulnerability affects legacy systems running Mambo 4.5.x and Joomla! versions, which were widely deployed in the mid-2000s for content management and business applications. Organizations using these platforms face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0517 require immediate action including patching the affected component to version 0.2 or later, which contains proper input validation and sanitization. System administrators should implement proper parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks from propagating through the application. Input validation should be enforced at multiple levels including application, database, and network boundaries to create defense-in-depth measures. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in other components and ensure proper security hardening of their web applications. Regular security updates, proper access controls, and database monitoring are essential practices that should be implemented to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future, particularly given that the affected platforms are no longer supported and contain multiple known security weaknesses.