CVE-2009-4199 in Com Mosres
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Mambo Resident (aka Mos Res or com_mosres) component 1.0f for Mambo and Joomla!, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) property_uid parameter in a viewproperty action to index.php and the (2) regID parameter in a showregion action to index.php.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The CVE-2009-4199 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting the Mambo Resident component version 1.0f in both Mambo and Joomla! content management systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the com_mosres component which is used for property management functionalities within these web platforms. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. When the PHP configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the system becomes particularly susceptible to this type of attack as the automatic escaping mechanism that would normally protect against such injections is not active.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same underlying flaw in input handling. The first vector targets the property_uid parameter within the viewproperty action of the index.php script, while the second vector exploits the regID parameter in the showregion action of the same script. Both parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database engine. This dual attack surface significantly increases the exploitability of the vulnerability as attackers can choose from multiple entry points to compromise the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4199 is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, which can result in data theft, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and ultimately full system compromise. Attackers could extract confidential user information, modify property records, delete database entries, or even gain administrative access to the CMS. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on the Mambo Resident component for property management functionalities, making it particularly dangerous for real estate websites, property listing platforms, and any system utilizing this specific component.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4199 require immediate remediation actions including applying the vendor-provided patches or upgrading to patched versions of the Mambo Resident component. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before database queries are executed. The configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc should be enabled when possible, though this is considered a temporary measure as it may be deprecated in newer PHP versions. Additionally, implementing proper database user permissions, employing prepared statements or parameterized queries, and conducting regular security audits are essential defensive measures that align with industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-89 for SQL injection vulnerabilities and ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable component and ensure proper patch deployment across all affected systems. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of relying on deprecated security mechanisms, serving as a reminder of the need for robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. This vulnerability also highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of running outdated software components that may contain known security flaws.