CVE-2009-0706 in Com Simple Review
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Simple Review (com_simple_review) component 1.3.5 for Joomla! and Mambo allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0706 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Simple Review component version 1.3.5 for Joomla and Mambo platforms that utilize this particular version of the Simple Review extension, making it a targeted threat for attackers seeking to compromise these specific content management environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the Simple Review component's codebase. When a user submits a request containing a category parameter through the index.php endpoint, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This omission allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are then executed by the underlying database engine. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected web application's database layer. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive information stored within the Joomla! or Mambo database, including user credentials, configuration settings, and application data. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects widely used content management platforms, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to multiple websites simultaneously. Additionally, the vulnerability enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the application, modify content, or even install malicious code, making it a severe threat to web application security and data integrity. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0706 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to upgrade to the latest version of the Simple Review component where this vulnerability has been resolved. The recommended approach involves applying input sanitization measures that properly escape or filter user-supplied data before database interaction, specifically targeting the category parameter in the index.php script. Security teams should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL injection patterns, while implementing proper access controls and database query logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and extensions that may be vulnerable to the same class of attacks. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the integrity of the database security posture.