CVE-2011-4823 in Com Vikrealestate
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Vik Real Estate (com_vikrealestate) component 1.0 for Joomla! allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) contract parameter in a results action and (2) imm parameter in a show action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2011-4823 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the Vik Real Estate component for Joomla! version 1.0, specifically affecting the com_vikrealestate plugin. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The flaw exists in two distinct parameter handling scenarios within the component's web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through multiple attack vectors. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the component's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. In the first scenario, the contract parameter within the results action is processed without adequate validation, while in the second scenario, the imm parameter in the show action suffers from identical input handling issues. Both parameters are directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization techniques, creating a classic SQL injection attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into query statements through input data, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4823 is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database content, or even gain full administrative control over affected Joomla installation running the vulnerable Vik Real Estate component, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, create backdoor accounts, or perform data exfiltration operations that would be extremely difficult to trace and remediate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4823 require immediate action including the mandatory update to the latest version of the Vik Real Estate component where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring all user inputs are properly escaped before database query execution. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping content management systems and third-party components updated to address known security flaws in the application ecosystem.