CVE-2009-4794 in Community CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Community CMS 0.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) article_id parameter to view.php and the (2) a parameter in an event action to calendar.php, reachable through index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4794 represents a critical security flaw in Community CMS version 0.5 that exposes the system to remote SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects two distinct input vectors within the content management system, creating multiple pathways for malicious actors to exploit the underlying database infrastructure. The first attack vector targets the article_id parameter in the view.php script, while the second vector exploits the a parameter within the event action of calendar.php, which is accessible through the index.php entry point. Both vulnerabilities stem from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database query construction processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input values are concatenated directly into SQL queries without adequate escaping or validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended query structure. This particular implementation weakness enables attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that can alter the execution flow of database operations, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is classified as remote because no authentication or local system access is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4794 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details from the underlying database. The attack surface is further expanded through the calendar.php component, which suggests that the vulnerability may affect event management functionality and could potentially provide access to additional system resources. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to system resources and data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Community CMS 0.5 installation to the latest available version that addresses these SQL injection flaws. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into database operations. Network-based defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection layers, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns and SQL error messages that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.