CVE-2009-4200 in Com Seminar
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Seminar (com_seminar) component 1.28 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a View_seminar action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The CVE-2009-4200 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Seminar component version 1.28 for Joomla web applications. The flaw exists in the way the component processes user input when handling the 'id' parameter through the View_seminar action in the index.php file. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of injection flaws classified as CWE-89 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or validation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the id parameter in the url to inject malicious sql commands into the application's database layer. When the Seminar component processes this unvalidated input, it directly incorporates the user-supplied value into sql queries without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. This allows attackers to construct malicious sql statements that can manipulate the database in unauthorized ways, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server, which could result in data theft, data modification, or even complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Joomla for their web presence. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1190 technique for exploitation of a remote service, specifically targeting the database layer as a means of achieving persistent access and data exfiltration.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by applying the vendor-supplied security patches or upgrading to versions of the Seminar component that have addressed this flaw. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Security measures should also include web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious sql injection patterns, as well as regular security audits of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for database connections and regularly monitoring database logs for suspicious activities can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the need for robust security practices in web application development to prevent such injection-based attacks that can compromise entire systems.