CVE-2014-4960 in Com Youtubegallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in models\gallery.php in Youtube Gallery (com_youtubegallery) component 4.x through 4.1.7, and possibly 3.x, for Joomla! allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) listid or (2) themeid parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4960 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Youtube Gallery component for Joomla websites that utilize this gallery functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the gallery.php model file, specifically targeting parameters used in database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of two primary parameters: listid and themeid within the index.php file. Attackers can exploit these parameters by injecting malicious SQL commands through the URL, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms. The flaw allows for direct database access and manipulation, as user-supplied input is concatenated directly into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This design pattern falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the affected database server. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, unauthorized user account creation, and potential privilege escalation within the Joomla is widely used content management system with numerous installations across various industries, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking broad impact. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to execute arbitrary code.
The security implications of this flaw are exacerbated by the fact that it affects multiple versions of the component, increasing the potential attack surface. The vulnerability's persistence across version boundaries suggests a fundamental design flaw in input handling rather than a simple patchable issue. Organizations utilizing this component face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly if they have not implemented proper security measures such as web application firewalls or input validation. The ease of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it requires minimal technical expertise to leverage against vulnerable installations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected component to version 4.1.8 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement proper parameterized queries in the affected code, sanitize all user inputs before database operations, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process must also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and ensuring that all Joomla! installations are kept current with security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future.