CVE-2011-4808 in Com Hmcommunity
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the HM Community (com_hmcommunity) component before 1.01 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a fnd_home action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The CVE-2011-4808 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the HM Community component for Joomla websites, becomes a vector for data exfiltration, unauthorized database modifications, and potential full system compromise when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability affects the core database interaction logic where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the id parameter in the fnd_home action request. When an attacker submits a malicious value through this parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into sql query construction. This allows attackers to inject sql payload that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify existing records, or even delete critical data. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack pattern where the application's failure to separate sql code from data creates an opportunity for code injection. According to the CWE catalog, this maps to CWE-89 sql injection, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be executed from any remote location, making it an ideal target for automated exploitation tools and mass scanning campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4808 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access to affected websites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored in the database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete content, potentially causing reputational damage and service disruption. In addition to direct data manipulation, the vulnerability can be used to establish backdoors or persistence mechanisms within the compromised system, allowing for continued unauthorized access. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the HM Community component face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability affects not only the specific database content but also the integrity and availability of the entire website infrastructure, as attackers can potentially escalate privileges and gain administrative control over the affected Joomla! installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4808 focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to HM Community component version 1.01 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the sql injection vulnerability. In addition to patching, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase. The principle of least privilege should be applied to database connections, limiting the permissions of database accounts used by the application. Web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious sql injection patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and custom code. According to the mitre attack framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under the execution and credential access phases, where attackers leverage sql injection to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. Organizations should also implement database activity monitoring and logging to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping all third-party components updated and maintaining comprehensive security awareness programs to prevent such critical flaws from being exploited in production environments.