CVE-2010-4944 in Com Elite Experts
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Elite Experts (com_elite_experts) component for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a showExpertProfileDetailed action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The CVE-2010-4944 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Elite Experts component for mambo and joomla platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the com_elite_experts component which was widely used in content management systems during the early 2010s. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user input through the id parameter within the showExpertProfileDetailed action, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing sql commands within the id parameter of the index.php script. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or parameterization, the malicious sql code gets executed within the database context. This allows attackers to perform unauthorized operations such as data extraction, modification, or deletion. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution capabilities and can potentially lead to complete system compromise. According to the attack pattern taxonomy, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation and T1213.002 which addresses data from information repositories.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4944 is severe and multifaceted. Organizations running vulnerable versions of mambo or joomla with the elite experts component face significant risks including unauthorized data access, potential data corruption, and complete system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from databases containing user credentials, personal data, or business-critical information. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database entries, potentially disrupting business operations and causing data integrity issues. System administrators may experience unauthorized access to administrative functions, allowing for persistent backdoor establishment and ongoing system compromise. The widespread adoption of affected platforms during this era means that numerous websites and organizations were potentially exposed to this risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4944 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql commands. Security patches and updates from the joomla and mambo communities should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking malicious sql injection attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in industry standards for secure software engineering practices.