CVE-2010-4638 in Com Jquarks4s
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the submitSurvey function in controller.php in JQuarks4s (com_jquarks4s) component 1.0.0 for Joomla!, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the q parameter in a submitSurvey action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4638 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the JQuarks4s component version 1.0.0 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness specifically targets the submitSurvey function located in the controller.php file, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through carefully crafted input parameters. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, as this removes a crucial built-in protection mechanism that would otherwise sanitize user input before database processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the q parameter within the submitSurvey action of the index.php script. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly validate or escape the data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user associated with the Joomla! application. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, where insufficient input validation enables attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized user account creation, data modification, and potential system escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information from the database, including user credentials, session data, and other sensitive organizational information. The vulnerability also provides a potential foothold for further attacks within the Joomla! environment, as database access often grants privileges that can be used to escalate attacks to other system components. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning, as the compromised database can serve as a source for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries within the affected Joomla applications and implementing proper access controls to limit the damage potential from successful attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent injection flaws in web applications.