CVE-2010-4993 in Com Eventcal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the eventcal (com_eventcal) component 1.6.4 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Itemid parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The CVE-2010-4993 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the eventcal component version 1.6.4 for joomla content management system. This vulnerability resides in the component's handling of user input through the Itemid parameter in the index.php script, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate database operations. The flaw specifically affects the com_eventcal component which is used for calendar functionality within joomla installations, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this cms platform for their web presence.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input through the Itemid parameter that gets directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows unauthorized users to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database connection. The vulnerability is classified under cwe-89 sql injection as it permits direct manipulation of the underlying database queries through user-controllable input. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the affected joomla installation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4993 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the joomla installation, including the ability to modify or delete calendar events, access user credentials stored in the database, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other internal systems. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where joomla is used for business-critical applications, as it can lead to significant data breaches and service disruption. The attack vector requires no authentication for initial exploitation, making it a high-severity threat that can be exploited remotely by any internet-connected attacker.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patching of the affected com_eventcal component to version 1.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the web application level to sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries. The implementation of proper parameterized queries and prepared statements can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, aligning with best practices from the owasp top ten and mitre attack framework. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts, though the primary remediation remains the immediate upgrade of the vulnerable component to a patched version.