CVE-2012-2952 in Jaow
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in add_ons.php in Jaow 2.4.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the add_ons parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The CVE-2012-2952 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Jaow content management system version 2.4.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the add_ons.php script which serves as a component for managing additional features within the application. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the underlying database system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, making it a well-documented and severe security weakness that has been prevalent in web applications for decades. This particular flaw demonstrates how legacy systems often contain unpatched vulnerabilities that remain exploitable for extended periods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the add_ons parameter in the add_ons.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context, potentially allowing full database access, data exfiltration, or even system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without authentication. This type of injection attack falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication channels. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal application security controls and directly interact with the database infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive capabilities to manipulate the entire application ecosystem. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, leading to unauthorized data modification, deletion of critical information, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the system. Organizations using affected Jaow versions face significant risks including regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 which covers credential access and TA0005 which covers defense evasion through database manipulation techniques. The long lifespan of this vulnerability suggests that many organizations may still be running unpatched versions, creating a persistent threat landscape.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2952 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Jaow installations to the latest available version that addresses this specific SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their application code to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns, particularly targeting the specific vulnerable endpoint. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential SQL injection points within their application infrastructure, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in input handling and data validation processes. The remediation process should also include regular security audits and penetration testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the system.