CVE-2009-3835 in JShop
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the JShop (com_jshop) component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pid parameter in a product action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The CVE-2009-3835 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the jshop component of the Joomla! content management system that fundamentally compromises the integrity of web applications relying on this extension. This vulnerability specifically affects the product identification parameter known as pid within the product action functionality, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The vulnerability resides in the improper sanitization of user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that executes with the privileges of the web application's database user account.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted pid parameter value to the index.php endpoint within the jshop component. The vulnerable code fails to properly validate or escape the input parameter, enabling attackers to append malicious sql statements that can manipulate the database structure or extract sensitive information. This flaw falls under the category of insecure input handling and demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where user-controllable data directly influences sql query construction. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution capabilities, enabling attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information stored within the application's backend systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges within the database environment and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the affected web application and underlying database infrastructure, leading to data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects all versions of the jshop component prior to the security patch release, making it a widespread concern for organizations running legacy joomla installations with this specific extension. Organizations with multiple joomla sites utilizing this component face increased risk of coordinated attacks that could compromise entire web application ecosystems.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, while also applying the relevant security patches provided by the joomla community and component developers. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications, and it maps to attack techniques within the attack tree framework where adversaries leverage input validation bypasses to achieve unauthorized database access. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all instances of vulnerable jshop installations and ensure proper access controls are implemented to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar injection flaws in other web applications and components within the organization's attack surface.