CVE-2010-0372 in Com Articlemanager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Articlemanager (com_articlemanager) component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the artid parameter in a display action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0372 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Articlemanager component of Joomla! content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the com_articlemanager component and exists in the way the application processes user input through the artid parameter during display operations. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql code directly into the database query execution flow, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that typically protect database access. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input received through the index.php script with a display action, allowing attackers to manipulate the sql query structure and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or execute destructive operations on the underlying database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the artid parameter within the url structure targeting the index.php file with display action. When a user submits a request containing a specially crafted artid value, the application incorporates this parameter directly into a sql query without proper input validation or sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious sql commands can be executed within the context of the database connection, potentially allowing attackers to extract, modify, or delete database records. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by cwe-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization measures. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be leveraged by any internet-connected attacker.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0372 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive user credentials, personal information, and business data stored within the joomla database. The vulnerability also presents risks for data integrity manipulation, where attackers could modify or delete critical content, potentially leading to service disruption and reputational damage. Additionally, the compromise of the database could provide attackers with a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as database credentials often have elevated privileges and may be used to access other systems. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the execution and credential access domains, specifically targeting the persistence and privilege escalation capabilities that sql injection attacks can provide.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0372 should prioritize immediate patching of affected joomla installations to the latest security releases that address the input validation flaws in the articlemanager component. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom applications. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database connections used by web applications have minimal required permissions and access rights. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws across all web applications. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date backups and implement proper monitoring of database access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction as outlined in secure coding practices and industry standards such as those recommended by owasp and the iso/iec 27001 framework for information security management.