CVE-2010-4990 in Com Addressbook
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Front-edit Address Book (com_addressbook) component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Itemid parameter in a contact action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4990 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Front-edit Address Book component of Joomla installations. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of the Itemid parameter within the contact action functionality, creating an exploitable entry point that enables unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the Joomla! component's processing logic. When a user interacts with the contact action functionality through the index.php script, the Itemid parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the parameter, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to the underlying database. The vulnerability manifests as a classic SQL injection attack vector where the attacker can manipulate the database queries through crafted input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the affected database server. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, including data exfiltration, unauthorized user account creation, modification of existing records, or even database corruption. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive information such as user credentials, personal contact details, and potentially gain access to other system resources that rely on the compromised database. The remote nature of this attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for Command and Control through database access, potentially enabling lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations running vulnerable Joomla! installations face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in web application development. Security practitioners should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement additional protective measures such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of the official Joomla! security patch released for version 1.5.20 and subsequent updates to the latest stable versions. Organizations should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, database query parameterization, and network-level filtering. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components. Additionally, implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for security teams to respond to potential compromises.