CVE-2009-4576 in Com Beeheard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the BeeHeard (com_beeheard) component 1.x for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category_id parameter in a suggestions action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2009-4576 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the BeeHeard component version 1.x of the Joomla! content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the component's handling of user input through the category_id parameter when processing suggestions actions. The flaw exists in the web application's input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability is classified as remote, meaning attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the target system or prior authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the com_beeheard component's index.php script. When the suggestions action is invoked with a category_id parameter, the application fails to adequately validate or escape the input before incorporating it into sql query constructions. This creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the sql query execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the T1190 category for exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across multiple security domains. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute unauthorized sql commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify or delete database records, extract user credentials, and gain persistent access to the affected system. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring direct system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability also poses risks to the overall integrity of the joomla installation and could enable further attacks on the hosting infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4576 should prioritize immediate remediation through official security patches provided by the joomla project and component developers. Organizations must ensure all affected joomla installations are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, as the original component version 1.x is no longer supported. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual sql query patterns and unauthorized database access attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components or applications within the organization's attack surface. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all web application components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent sql injection through proper input sanitization and parameterized query usage.