CVE-2009-1499 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the MailTo (aka com_mailto) component in Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the article parameter in index.php. NOTE: SecurityFocus states that this issue has been disputed by the vendor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1499 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MailTo component of Joomla! CMS versions prior to 1.5.12 and 1.0.14. This vulnerability specifically affects the com_mailto component which is designed to enable users to send articles via email. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the article parameter in the index.php file, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database layer. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as a SQL injection weakness, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing specially formatted article parameter values that bypass input sanitization mechanisms. The MailTo component in Joomla! processes this parameter without adequate escaping or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject SQL syntax that gets executed by the underlying database engine. This creates a pathway for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it resides in a commonly used email sharing component that many users interact with regularly, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to the application's data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers could potentially extract user credentials, personal data, or administrative access tokens from the database, enabling further attacks on the broader network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both Joomla! 1.0.x and 1.5.x series, representing a significant security gap that could be exploited across multiple versions of the platform. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers would need to identify and exploit the vulnerable component to establish initial access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1499 primarily involve applying the official security patches released by the Joomla installation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping CMS platforms updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper input sanitization and parameterized queries.