CVE-2009-2400 in Com Php
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the PHP (com_php) component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2400 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP component of Joomla! content management system. This security weakness resides in the com_php component which processes user input through the id parameter in the index.php file. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database query execution flow without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system. 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. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection attacks where untrusted data is directly included in SQL command construction without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing SQL payload within the id parameter of the index.php script. When the vulnerable Joomla! component processes this input, it concatenates the user-supplied value directly into the SQL query string without appropriate sanitization. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended database query execution, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database records, or even executing administrative commands on the underlying database system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely through web-based interfaces without requiring any local system access or specialized tools beyond standard web browser capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and sensitive business data stored within the Joomla that include the vulnerable com_php component, making it particularly concerning for organizations with multiple Joomla! installations across different environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.1003 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exploits weaknesses in web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2400 require immediate action from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves applying the official security patch released by Joomla installation and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices to prevent database injection attacks that can compromise entire web applications.