CVE-2012-4868 in Kunena
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in news.php in the Kunena component 1.7.2 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2019
The CVE-2012-4868 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Kunena component version 1.7.2 for Joomla, presents a significant risk when compromised through this vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the id parameter in the news.php file, bypassing proper input sanitization mechanisms. The flaw arises from insufficient parameter validation and improper escaping of user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the parameter parsing mechanism where user input directly influences database query construction without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4868 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise including data modification, deletion, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, gain persistent access to the web application, or even use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects Joomla! installations using the Kunena component version 1.7.2, which was widely deployed across various web platforms, amplifying the potential attack surface. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of the affected Kunena component to version 1.7.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameter sanitization measures. Security administrators should implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, database query parameterization, and proper access controls for database connections. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of the affected Joomla installations.