CVE-2009-3480 in iCRM Basic
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the iCRM Basic (com_icrmbasic) component 1.4.2.31 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the p3 parameter to index.php. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3480 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the iCRM Basic component version 1.4.2.31 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness resides in the component's handling of user input through the p3 parameter in the index.php file, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL command structures. Such flaws are particularly dangerous in content management systems where components often interact directly with backend databases to retrieve and store information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the p3 parameter that gets directly embedded into SQL queries without proper sanitization. This allows the attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable Joomla! website. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software design that permits attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete database compromise, including unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. Attackers may extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-critical information stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the database and establish persistent access points. Additionally, the compromised system may be used as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure, particularly if the database user has elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which involves application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 which covers exploit public-facing application.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the iCRM Basic component, applying available security patches, and implementing proper input validation measures. Database administrators should review and restrict database user privileges to the minimum required for application functionality, implementing the principle of least privilege. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense against SQL injection attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping content management systems and their extensions updated, as outdated components represent significant attack surfaces that attackers frequently target due to their known weaknesses and the availability of exploitation tools and techniques.