CVE-2008-2093 in Com Comprofiler
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Profiler (com_comprofiler) component in Community Builder for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user parameter in a userProfile action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The CVE-2008-2093 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Community Builder component for Mambo and Joomla platforms, indicating a widespread exposure across these content management systems that were prevalent during the late 2000s era.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the user parameter in the userProfile action URL. The application fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into SQL query construction, enabling attackers to manipulate the query structure and execute unauthorized database operations. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database engine. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it allows for remote code execution and database manipulation without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of parameterized queries and proper data sanitization in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2093 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information, modify database records, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The exposure affects user profiles and personal information stored within the Community Builder component, which often contains confidential data such as usernames, email addresses, and potentially password hashes. This vulnerability also provides a foundation for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as compromised database access can serve as a stepping stone for lateral movement and privilege escalation. The impact is particularly severe for organizations relying on these platforms for user management and community engagement, as the compromise can lead to widespread data exposure and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2093 must focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should implement the official security patches released by the Community Builder and Joomla! development teams to address the specific SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, all applications should employ parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework. Input validation should be strengthened through whitelisting approaches for user parameters and comprehensive sanitization routines. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious SQL query patterns and unusual database access attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, particularly those handling user input and database interactions. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against SQL injection attacks that remain prevalent in modern web applications.