CVE-2009-0726 in Com Gigcalendar
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the GigCalendar (com_gigcal) component 1.0 for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the gigcal_gigs_id parameter in a details action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0726 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the GigCalendar component version 1.0 for Mambo and Joomla! platforms. This security weakness resides in the component's handling of user input through the gigcal_gigs_id parameter when processing details requests to index.php. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that manipulates the sql query execution flow, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive database information or executing arbitrary commands on the underlying database server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the gigcal_gigs_id parameter which is processed without proper sanitization measures. When a user requests details for a specific gig, the component directly incorporates this parameter into sql queries without adequate escaping or parameterization. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject sql payloads that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the details action within the index.php file, making it accessible through standard web application interfaces. According to the CWE database, this represents a classic instance of CWE-89: sql injection, which is categorized as a fundamental weakness in web application security that has been consistently ranked among the top ten web application security risks by the OWASP project.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage the sql injection to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details stored within the database. Additionally, the vulnerability may allow for data manipulation, deletion, or unauthorized access to administrative functions within the application. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this affects widely-used content management systems like Mambo and Joomla!, which are deployed across numerous websites and organizations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use sql injection to establish persistent access or exfiltrate data through database connections. Furthermore, this weakness can facilitate privilege escalation attacks where attackers move laterally within the system or establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0726 should focus on immediate patching of the affected GigCalendar component to version 1.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user input is properly escaped or sanitized before database processing. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including web application firewalls, database access controls, and application code level. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual sql query patterns and unauthorized database access attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components or plugins within the Joomla! or Mambo environment. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating access controls, implementing least privilege principles, and establishing secure coding practices for all application development activities to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.