CVE-2016-10114 in aWeb Cart Watching System for Virtuemart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the "aWeb Cart Watching System for Virtuemart" extension before 2.6.1 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors involving categorysearch and smartSearch.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2020
The CVE-2016-10114 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the aWeb Cart Watching System for Virtuemart extension for Joomla websites utilizing this specific extension. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the extension's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in the categorysearch and smartSearch parameters. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the targeted website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection attacks where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization. The aWeb Cart Watching System for Virtuemart extension fails to properly escape or validate input parameters when processing search queries, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database layer. When users submit search requests through the categorysearch or smartSearch functionality, the extension directly incorporates these parameters into sql statements without adequate filtering or parameterization, creating a direct path for sql injection attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes websites to severe consequences including unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potential complete system compromise. Attackers can extract sensitive information from the database such as user credentials, personal data, and administrative details. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as malicious actors can modify database contents, insert backdoors, or even delete critical system information. Given that this affects a popular e-commerce extension for Joomla!, the potential attack surface includes numerous online stores and business websites that could suffer financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance violations.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation. Remote attackers can craft malicious search queries containing sql injection payloads that bypass normal input validation checks. The exploitation process typically involves sending specially crafted http requests to the vulnerable extension's search functionality, where the injected sql commands are executed with the privileges of the database user account. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in web applications, as well as the critical need for regular security updates and patch management in content management systems. Organizations should immediately update to version 2.6.1 or later of the aWeb Cart Watching System for Virtuemart extension and implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls and database access monitoring to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of security testing for third-party extensions in cms platforms like Joomla!. Many organizations fail to adequately vet extensions for security vulnerabilities, creating persistent attack vectors that can be exploited for extended periods. This particular flaw represents a common pattern in web application security where legacy code fails to implement proper security controls for data handling operations. Security professionals should emphasize the need for comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all installed extensions and maintain up-to-date security practices including regular patching, input validation, and database security hardening to prevent similar incidents from occurring in other systems.