CVE-2018-5984 in Tumder Component
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Tumder (An Arcade Games Platform) 2.1 component for Joomla! via the PATH_INFO to the category/ URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2018-5984 represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the Tumder arcade games platform component version 2.1 for Joomla!. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the PATH_INFO parameter when accessing the category/ URI endpoint, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The flaw exists within the component's handling of user-supplied input through the web server's PATH_INFO mechanism, which is commonly used for URL rewriting and routing in web applications. This particular implementation fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized database access and potential data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input through the PATH_INFO parameter that gets directly processed by the database query execution engine. The Tumder component's category/ URI handler does not implement proper input validation or parameterized query construction, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that can be executed within the context of the database connection. This injection can potentially escalate to full database compromise, enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability's classification as a sql injection flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent database access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the Joomla platform or related systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5984 should focus on immediate component updates to versions that address the sql injection vulnerability, as the original version 2.1 contains no built-in protections against such attacks. System administrators should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's database interaction points, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability's presence in the PATH_INFO handling mechanism suggests that implementing proper request parsing and validation at the web server level could also provide temporary protection. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Joomla! installations to identify other potentially vulnerable components, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security weaknesses in the platform's overall architecture. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, with potential lateral movement opportunities through database compromise, making comprehensive network monitoring and access control essential for preventing further exploitation.