CVE-2008-5494 in Com Contactinfo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Contact Information Module (com_contactinfo) component 1.0 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the catid parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5494 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Contact Information Module component of Joomla content management system ecosystem. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input through the catid parameter in the index.php script, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization within the application's database interaction layer. When the catid parameter is processed without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the underlying database engine. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques that are fundamental to preventing database injection attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Joomla for their web presence.
The attack vector for CVE-2008-5494 is particularly concerning due to its remote nature and the ease with which it can be exploited. Attackers do not require any special privileges or local access to the system, making this vulnerability highly dangerous in public-facing environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a common entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to web infrastructure. Organizations using the affected Joomla! version should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts.
Security practitioners should prioritize patching or upgrading affected Joomla! installations as the primary remediation strategy. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper input validation practices. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential injection vulnerabilities within their web applications, as similar weaknesses may exist in other components or modules. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious SQL injection patterns and anomalous database access attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts against this or similar vulnerabilities.