CVE-2008-6166 in Com Kbase
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the KBase (com_kbase) 1.2 component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in an article action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The CVE-2008-6166 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the KBase component version 1.2 for Joomla! content management system. This vulnerability resides in the component's handling of user input through the id parameter when processing article actions via the index.php endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL commands through the vulnerable parameter, potentially compromising the entire underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the KBase component fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. When an attacker submits a crafted id parameter containing SQL injection payloads, the component processes this input directly within database queries without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically targets the article action functionality within the KBase component, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where article handling is frequently accessed.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6166 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to retrieve administrative credentials, user databases, configuration files, and other confidential data stored within the Joomla! database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors. Additionally, the vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, allowing attackers to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads within the compromised environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official security patch released by the Joomla installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers use the vulnerability to establish command and control channels. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls, database activity monitoring, and regular security audits to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of keeping CMS components updated and following secure development practices to prevent similar issues in the future.