CVE-2008-4777 in Showroom Joomlearn LMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Showroom Joomlearn LMS (com_lms) component for Joomla! and Mambo allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter in a showTests task.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The CVE-2008-4777 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Showroom Joomlearn LMS component for Joomla! and Mambo platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the com_lms component and resides in the handling of user input parameters during the showTests task execution. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious sql commands through the cat parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the component's codebase where the cat parameter from user requests is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. This primitive form of sql injection occurs because the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious sql payloads. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a specially formatted cat parameter that, when processed by the vulnerable component, alters the intended sql query structure to execute unauthorized database operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive data from the database including user credentials, personal information, and system configurations. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Additionally, attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges within the application, gain persistent access, or establish backdoors for future exploitation. The widespread use of Joomla! and Mambo platforms at the time of this vulnerability meant that numerous websites and organizations could be potentially affected.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-89 weakness classification which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, while also potentially supporting T1078 for legitimate credential access through database compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation. The most effective remediation involves proper input sanitization and output encoding techniques that prevent malicious sql commands from being executed. Additionally, regular security assessments, code reviews, and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper database access controls in web application development, particularly for educational platforms that handle sensitive user data and academic information.