CVE-2018-17374 in Auction Factory
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Auction Factory 4.5.5 component for Joomla! via the filter_order_Dir or filter_order parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17374 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Auction Factory component version 4.5.5 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through specifically crafted inputs, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the filter_order_Dir and filter_order parameters, which are commonly used for sorting and filtering data within web applications. These parameters are typically processed server-side to determine the order in which database results are displayed to users, making them prime targets for injection attacks that can bypass normal input validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Auction Factory component's database query construction process. When user-supplied values are directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that alters the intended query behavior. The filter_order_Dir and filter_order parameters are particularly susceptible because they often control the ORDER BY clause of SQL queries, where malicious input can manipulate the database execution flow. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly embedded into SQL commands without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices that violate secure coding principles and expose the underlying database to unauthorized manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive information, modify database content, or even execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. In a Joomla installation if proper security boundaries are not maintained. The vulnerability affects any system running the specific version of Auction Factory component, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple installations without requiring specialized knowledge of the target system's configuration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to sensitive auction data, user credentials, or other confidential information stored within the database. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only that an attacker be able to submit requests to pages that utilize the vulnerable parameters, which are common in web applications with filtering and sorting functionality.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Auction Factory component to version 4.5.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that escape or parameterize all user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can submit requests to pages that process the vulnerable parameters. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Joomla! platform or related applications. The remediation process should also include monitoring database logs for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging of database access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate successful exploitation of the vulnerability.