CVE-2010-0945 in Com Hotbrackets
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the HotBrackets Tournament Brackets (com_hotbrackets) component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The CVE-2010-0945 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the HotBrackets Tournament Brackets component for Joomla component architecture, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that bypasses normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any internet-facing system running the vulnerable component.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious url containing specially formatted sql injection payloads within the id parameter of index.php. The component fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating a direct injection vector that can be leveraged to manipulate the underlying mysql database. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of improper input validation where user-controllable data flows directly into sql execution contexts. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data extraction as it allows attackers to perform full database operations including data modification, deletion, and potentially system-level commands depending on database permissions.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risks for Joomla! websites utilizing the HotBrackets component, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive tournament bracket data, user information, and potentially compromise the entire web application. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server or network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify tournament results, steal user credentials, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The impact is particularly severe for sports organizations and gaming communities that rely on tournament bracket management systems, as the compromise could affect competitive integrity and user trust. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of remote services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0945 require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the HotBrackets component where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries, and applying web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components within their Joomla! installations. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing database user privilege restrictions to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual database activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and patch management processes are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future component versions.