CVE-2009-4057 in Com If Nexus
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the inertialFATE iF Portfolio Nexus (com_if_nexus) component 1.1 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in an item action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The CVE-2009-4057 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the inertialFATE iF Portfolio Nexus component version 1.1 for Joomla content management systems that utilize this particular component for portfolio management and content presentation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the component's processing logic. When a user submits an item action request containing an id parameter, the application fails to adequately filter or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure. This allows attackers to manipulate the database query execution flow by injecting malicious SQL syntax that gets executed with the privileges of the web application's database user account. The vulnerability is classified as a classic SQL injection attack vector where user-controllable input directly influences database query construction without proper parameterization or input sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected Joomla! installation's database infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, administrative access details, and confidential business data stored within the database. Additionally, attackers might escalate privileges, modify or delete database records, and potentially establish persistent access through database-level backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server or network infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern corresponds to the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-supplied patch for the iF Portfolio Nexus component, implementing input validation controls, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that web application database accounts have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Joomla! installation, as this represents a common attack vector that often indicates broader security gaps in web application configurations.