CVE-2012-2748 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Joomla! 2.5.x before 2.5.5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via vectors related to "Inadequate filtering" and a "SQL error."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2748 represents a critical information disclosure issue within Joomla! content management systems version 2.5.x prior to 2.5.5. This flaw stems from inadequate input validation and filtering mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability manifests through SQL error messages that inadvertently reveal database structure information, including table names, column names, and potentially sensitive data elements to remote attackers. Such exposure occurs when the application processes malformed input without proper sanitization, leading to the generation of detailed error messages that contain database-specific information. The security implications extend beyond simple information gathering as these revelations can provide attackers with crucial reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that leads to various security issues including information disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input to Joomla! applications that trigger database query errors. The application's insufficient filtering mechanisms allow raw user input to reach the database layer without proper sanitization, resulting in SQL error messages that contain database schema information. These error messages typically include details about database structure, query syntax, and potentially even database credentials or table layouts. The flaw demonstrates poor error handling practices where the system fails to implement proper input validation and output sanitization. Attackers can leverage this information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the application's database layer, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 highlights the information gathering aspect of this weakness, where adversaries exploit insufficient filtering to extract valuable intelligence from the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2748 extends beyond immediate information disclosure to create a foundation for more serious security breaches. When attackers can obtain database schema information, they gain significant advantages in planning subsequent attacks, including identifying potential entry points, understanding data relationships, and determining optimal attack vectors. The vulnerability can be exploited through various application interfaces including forms, API endpoints, and parameter handling mechanisms where user input is processed. Organizations running affected Joomla installations exist.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2748 focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within Joomla 2.5.5 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved filtering mechanisms and enhanced error handling. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization procedures that validate and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, ensuring that no raw input reaches database query layers. Proper error handling should be configured to prevent detailed database error messages from being exposed to end users, with generic error messages displayed instead. Security configurations should include disabling detailed error reporting in production environments and implementing proper logging mechanisms to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious input patterns associated with this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the applied fixes do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security posture against similar vulnerabilities.