CVE-2017-20258 in RPC Responsive Portfolio
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2026
Joomla! Component RPC Responsive Portfolio 1.6.1 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the id parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to index.php with option=com_pofos&view=pofo&id=[SQL] to extract sensitive database information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
The Joomla! Component RPC Responsive Portfolio version 1.6.1 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that represents a significant threat to web application security. This vulnerability exists within the component's handling of the id parameter in the URL structure, specifically when processing requests to index.php with the option=com_pofos&view=pofo&id=[SQL] pattern. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through direct input manipulation without requiring any valid credentials or session tokens.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the component's backend processing logic. When the component receives a request containing the id parameter, it directly incorporates user-supplied input into SQL query construction without adequate escaping or parameterization. This creates a classic SQL injection attack vector that enables attackers to craft malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely through HTTP GET requests, making exploitation straightforward and accessible to anyone who discovers the vulnerable endpoint.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, configuration details, and potentially administrative access credentials. The vulnerability affects the entire database structure, enabling attackers to perform read operations such as SELECT queries to extract data, and in some cases, write operations that could lead to data modification or deletion. This represents a severe compromise of data confidentiality and integrity according to the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct systematic data harvesting campaigns, potentially accessing user accounts, personal information, and business-critical data stored within the Joomla! application's database. The vulnerability's location within a portfolio component suggests it could be used to access sensitive project information, client data, or other confidential content stored in the database. The lack of authentication requirements makes this a particularly attractive target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to maximize their impact with minimal effort. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
Security mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the vulnerable component to the latest available version that contains proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement web application firewalls with SQL injection detection capabilities and establish proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components or third-party extensions. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for database accounts and using parameterized queries in all database interactions will significantly reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the need for proper network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential attack surface.