CVE-2018-17378 in Penny Auction Factory
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Penny Auction Factory 2.0.4 component for Joomla! via the filter_order_Dir or filter_order parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17378 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Penny Auction Factory 2.0.4 extension for the Joomla! content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the auction component's handling of user input through the filter_order_Dir and filter_order parameters, which are commonly used for sorting and ordering database query results. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the extension's backend processing logic, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that can be executed against the underlying database. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to the database underlying the Joomla system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely used auction component that likely handles sensitive transactional data and user information, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to exploit the system for financial gain or data theft.
From a tactical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the mitre att&ck framework under the data extraction and privilege escalation domains. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify vulnerable joomla installations running the affected extension, followed by crafting malicious payloads targeting the specific filter_order_Dir and filter_order parameters. These parameters are commonly used in web applications for implementing user interface sorting functionality, making them prime targets for injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper parameterized queries and input sanitization mechanisms within web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data or transactional information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version of the Penny Auction Factory extension, which would address the input validation flaws in the affected parameters. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with sql injection detection capabilities can provide additional defense in depth layers. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary database user privileges for the web application, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party extensions. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting thorough security reviews of all third-party components integrated into web applications.