CVE-2008-2701 in Com Gameq
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the GameQ (com_gameq) component 4.0 and earlier for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category_id parameter in a page action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2701 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the GameQ component for Joomla! versions 4.0 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the component's handling of user input through the category_id parameter, which is processed during page requests to index.php. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database by injecting malicious SQL commands through crafted input values. The affected GameQ component, which is designed to query and display gaming server information, fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious category_id parameter value to the index.php endpoint. The component's insufficient input validation allows the injected SQL code to be executed within the database context, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain unauthorized administrative access. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command structures without proper sanitization. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing injection attacks in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise when attackers leverage the SQL injection to escalate privileges or manipulate database contents. Remote attackers can potentially access sensitive user information, modify gaming server data, or even execute arbitrary code on the affected server if the database user has sufficient privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries exploit input validation weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The impact is particularly severe for Joomla! installations using the GameQ component, as it affects the core database integrity and can compromise the entire application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2701 require immediate action to address the vulnerable GameQ component in Joomla! installations. System administrators should upgrade to the latest version of the GameQ component or apply the vendor-provided security patches that implement proper input validation and parameter sanitization. The recommended approach includes implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, as well as applying input validation filters that reject potentially malicious characters and patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts, while conducting thorough security assessments to identify any other components that may be vulnerable to similar injection attacks. Additionally, following the principle of least privilege for database users and implementing proper access controls can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.