CVE-2008-0561 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the Arthur Konze AkoGallery (com_akogallery) 2.5 beta component for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a detail action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0561 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Arthur Konze AkoGallery component version 2.5 beta for Mambo and Joomla! platforms. This security weakness specifically affects the index.php file within the com_akogallery component and operates through the detail action functionality. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the id parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the component's failure to properly escape or validate the id parameter before incorporating it into sql query constructions. When users navigate to the detail view of gallery items, the application accepts the id parameter directly from the http request without sufficient sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that gets executed within the database context, potentially enabling full database compromise. The flaw operates under the common weakness identified as cwe-89 sql injection, which is classified as a persistent vulnerability that can be exploited across multiple application components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary sql commands on the affected database server. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise including data exfiltration, data modification, or even privilege escalation to system-level access. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to retrieve sensitive information such as user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability affects both Mambo and Joomla! platforms, indicating a widespread potential impact across multiple content management systems that utilize this specific component version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0561 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected component to the latest available secure version. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other application components. The use of web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional protective layers against sql injection attacks. Security practitioners should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all installed components and extensions to identify similar weaknesses. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack framework under the category of code injection, specifically targeting database layer vulnerabilities that can be exploited through user input manipulation. Regular security auditing and application code reviews are essential to prevent such critical flaws from persisting in production environments.