CVE-2018-5991 in Form Maker
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Form Maker 3.6.12 component for Joomla! via the id, from, or to parameter in a view=stats request, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2798.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5991 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Form Maker component version 3.6.12 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness specifically manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability affects the component's statistical viewing functionality where parameters including id, from, and to are processed within the view=stats request structure, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the vulnerable parameters within the statistical view endpoint. The Form Maker component fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization measures, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the underlying database system. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the component's insufficient data validation processes, which are critical for maintaining data integrity and preventing unauthorized database access. The vulnerability specifically targets the statistical reporting functionality of the Joomla! content management system, making it particularly dangerous as it could potentially expose sensitive user data, form submissions, and other database records.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5991 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full database compromise scenarios where attackers can execute arbitrary commands, extract sensitive information, modify or delete database records, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected Joomla platform infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including the application of the vendor's official security patch or upgrade to a non-vulnerable version of the Form Maker component. System administrators should implement proper input validation mechanisms and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the affected parameters. Additionally, comprehensive security assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable components within the Joomla! environment, and regular security audits should be performed to maintain ongoing protection against similar threats. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper application security controls to prevent exploitation of database-related vulnerabilities that could lead to complete system compromise.