CVE-2009-1822 in Com Artforms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in the InterJoomla ArtForms (com_artforms) component 2.1b7 for Joomla! allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter to (1) imgcaptcha.php or (2) mp3captcha.php in assets/captcha/includes/captchaform/, or (3) assets/captcha/includes/captchatalk/swfmovie.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The CVE-2009-1822 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the InterJoomla ArtForms component version 2.1b7 for Joomla content management systems. The affected files include imgcaptcha.php, mp3captcha.php, and swfmovie.php, all located within the assets/captcha/includes/captchaform/ and assets/captcha/includes/captchatalk/ directories, indicating a broader scope of potential exploitation within the captcha subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insecure handling of user-supplied input within the Joomla! component's configuration parameter processing. When the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter is passed to any of the three vulnerable files, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This creates a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability where attacker-controlled URLs can be directly included and executed by the PHP interpreter. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in input data, and CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code. The flaw operates under the principle that user input is trusted and directly incorporated into file paths without adequate validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious file references that will be processed by the web server's PHP engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1822 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, or deploy additional attack tools such as web shells for ongoing access. The vulnerability affects not only the targeted Joomla for critical web applications, as it can lead to complete system takeover and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1822 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement the most straightforward and effective fix by upgrading to a patched version of the InterJoomla ArtForms component, as the vulnerability is resolved through proper input validation and sanitization of the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter. Additionally, implementing input validation at the web application firewall level can provide an additional layer of protection by blocking suspicious URL patterns in the affected parameter. The use of PHP's disable_functions directive can help mitigate the impact by preventing execution of dangerous functions like include, require, or eval. Network-level protections should include monitoring for suspicious requests containing URL patterns in the parameter, while security administrators should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other Joomla! components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in areas related to input validation and secure file handling, ensuring that future development efforts incorporate proper security measures from the design phase.