CVE-2009-2014 in Com School
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the ComSchool (com_school) component 1.4 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the classid parameter in a showclass action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The CVE-2009-2014 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ComSchool component version 1.4 for Joomla installation's database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious classid parameter value to the showclass action endpoint. The component fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into sql query constructions, enabling the injection of malicious sql fragments. This allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute destructive operations on the underlying database system. The vulnerability operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection flaws as persistent security weaknesses that permit unauthorized database access through improperly validated user inputs. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2014 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive educational institution data including student records, academic information, and administrative details. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used joomla component increases its attack surface significantly, as many educational institutions and organizations rely on joomla platforms for their web presence. This exposure creates a substantial risk for data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability also enables attackers to establish persistent access points within the affected systems, potentially allowing for long-term surveillance and data exfiltration operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2014 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected ComSchool component to version 1.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should implement proper parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection vulnerabilities in custom applications. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to vulnerable components while patches are deployed. Regular security auditing and input validation testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attacks. Organizations should also establish comprehensive incident response procedures and maintain regular backups to ensure rapid recovery from potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping content management systems and their components updated, as well as following secure coding practices that prevent sql injection through proper input sanitization and parameterized database queries.