CVE-2010-1073 in Com Jembed
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the jEmbed-Embed Anything (com_jembed) component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the catid parameter in a summary action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The CVE-2010-1073 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the jEmbed-Embed Anything component for Joomla! CMS versions that were prevalent during the early 2010s. This vulnerability specifically targets the component's handling of user input through the catid parameter, which is processed during summary actions in the index.php file. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and improper parameter sanitization, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic lack of proper input filtering mechanisms that should be implemented to prevent unauthorized database access.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing SQL commands within the catid parameter value. When the vulnerable Joomla! component processes this input, it directly incorporates the unsanitized parameter into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL syntax that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify data, or even gain administrative access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability specifically affects the summary action functionality, which typically retrieves and displays content based on category identifiers, making it a high-value target for exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Joomla could face regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized data access and modification. The vulnerability also enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain shell access to the web server.
Security mitigations for CVE-2010-1073 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Joomla installations are updated to the latest security releases. Input sanitization techniques including parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and comprehensive input validation should be implemented across all application components. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a common attack vector categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security audits, code reviews, and maintaining up-to-date security patches form essential defensive strategies against similar vulnerabilities in the future.