CVE-2009-4698 in XOOPS Celepar
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Qas (aka Quas) module for XOOPS Celepar allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the codigo parameter to (1) aviso.php and (2) imprimir.php, and the (3) cod_categoria parameter to categoria.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The CVE-2009-4698 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Qas module of XOOPS Celepar, a popular content management system used for web publishing and community management. This vulnerability resides in the module's handling of user input parameters, specifically targeting three distinct PHP scripts that process data from web forms and user interactions. The affected files include aviso.php, imprimir.php, and categoria.php, each of which processes different parameter inputs that can be manipulated by remote attackers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where improper input validation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code into database queries. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it enables unauthorized access to sensitive data and can potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when attackers manipulate the codigo parameter in aviso.php and imprimir.php, or the cod_categoria parameter in categoria.php to inject malicious SQL commands. These parameters are likely used to fetch specific records from database tables, but due to insufficient input sanitization, attackers can append SQL syntax to these parameters to alter the intended database query execution. When the application processes these malformed parameters, the injected SQL code executes within the database context, potentially allowing attackers to extract, modify, or delete sensitive information. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning no local system access is required, and the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions with the vulnerable web application. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which describes application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web applications through SQL injection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the entire database system underlying the XOOPS installation. Successful exploitation could result in complete data compromise, including user credentials, personal information, and potentially administrative access to the web application. Attackers might also leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the database, execute arbitrary code on the database server, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using outdated versions of XOOPS Celepar that have not received security patches, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that have not been properly maintained or updated. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised, as this vulnerability could violate data protection standards such as GDPR or HIPAA depending on the nature of the data stored in the affected databases. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the implementation of proper parameterized queries to prevent malicious code injection attacks that can fundamentally compromise system integrity and data security.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2009-4698 include immediate patching of the Qas module to the latest secure version that addresses the SQL injection flaws, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their XOOPS installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities, implement database query parameterization to prevent SQL injection, and establish regular security maintenance procedures to ensure timely patch deployment. Additionally, the implementation of principle of least privilege for database accounts, regular security monitoring, and intrusion detection systems can help mitigate the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and following secure coding practices to prevent exploitation of known security weaknesses.