CVE-2009-3357 in Com Hbssearch
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Hotel Booking Reservation System (aka HBS or com_hbssearch) component for Joomla! allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) h_id, (2) id, and (3) rid parameters to longDesc.php, and the h_id parameter to (4) detail.php, (5) detail1.php, (6) detail2.php, (7) detail3.php, (8) detail4.php, (9) detail5.php, (10) detail6.php, (11) detail7.php, and (12) detail8.php, different vectors than CVE-2008-5865, CVE-2008-5874, and CVE-2008-5875.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3357 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Hotel Booking Reservation System component for Joomla ecosystem, specifically targeting the longDesc.php and various detail.php files including detail1.php through detail8.php. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating specific parameters such as h_id, id, and rid to inject malicious SQL commands into the database layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation in HTTP requests targeting the affected Joomla! component. When users provide input through the h_id, id, or rid parameters, the application directly incorporates these values into SQL queries without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability affects multiple vectors simultaneously, with different file paths offering various attack surfaces, making it particularly dangerous for comprehensive exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3357 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive hotel booking information, customer data, and system configurations. The vulnerability's presence across multiple PHP files increases the attack surface significantly, as different entry points provide attackers with multiple opportunities to achieve their objectives. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the Joomla! HBS component face risks of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential reputational damage due to exposure of customer information.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and comprehensive output encoding throughout the application code. The recommended approach involves applying the principle of least privilege by ensuring database connections use accounts with minimal required permissions. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while also applying the latest security patches from Joomla! developers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security controls.
The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk through SQL injection places it within the high-severity category of cybersecurity threats. The fact that multiple file paths share the same vulnerability pattern indicates a systemic code quality issue within the HBS component, suggesting that similar vulnerabilities may exist in other areas of the application. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Joomla! installations to identify and remediate similar issues, while also implementing automated security scanning tools to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and proper code review processes are essential to prevent such vulnerabilities from persisting in production environments.