CVE-2008-0761 in Prince Clan Chess Club
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the Prince Clan Chess Club (com_pcchess) 0.8 and earlier component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_id parameter in a players action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The CVE-2008-0761 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the prince clan chess club component for joomla cms versions 0.8 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file and affects the players action functionality where the user_id parameter is processed without adequate input sanitization. The flaw exists in the web application's database interaction layer where user-supplied input directly influences sql query construction, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability is classified under cwe-89 sql injection, which is a fundamental weakness in web applications that allows attackers to execute unauthorized sql commands against the database backend. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor input validation and improper sql query construction practices that have been consistently identified as high-risk security vulnerabilities across the industry.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input through the user_id parameter in the players action. The application fails to properly sanitize or escape the user_id value before incorporating it into sql queries, allowing attackers to inject sql code that gets executed by the database server. This enables adversaries to perform unauthorized operations such as data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or even gain shell access to the underlying server depending on the database configuration and permissions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0761 is severe for any joomla installation utilizing the affected prince clan chess club component. Organizations running vulnerable systems face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and potential complete system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of the component means that even organizations with updated joomla core installations could remain vulnerable if they have not patched the specific component. This type of vulnerability directly violates security best practices and represents a failure in secure coding methodologies, specifically addressing the principle of least privilege and proper input validation. The attack surface is relatively narrow but impactful, targeting a specific component functionality that could be exploited by any user with access to the affected website's players page.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0761 focus on immediate remediation through component updates and patching. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest version of the prince clan chess club component where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper sql escaping techniques can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense in depth, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security assessments, component monitoring, and adherence to secure coding practices that align with industry standards including owasp top ten and the cwe top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database permissions to limit the potential impact of successful sql injection attacks, ensuring that database accounts used by web applications have minimal necessary privileges.