CVE-2018-6373 in Fastball
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the Fastball 2.5 component for Joomla! via the season parameter in a view=player action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2018-6373 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Fastball 2.5 component for Joomla! which exposes web applications to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the season parameter within the view=player action, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw resides in the component's insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms, which fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql statements. According to the common weakness enumeration standard CWE-89, this vulnerability directly maps to improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a classic sql injection vulnerability that can be exploited across various database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, or system configuration details, while also gaining the ability to modify or delete database records. The vulnerability affects Joomla! installations running the Fastball 2.5 component, particularly those that process user input through the player view functionality. This type of vulnerability aligns with the attack technique described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under TA0006 credential access and TA0005 defense evasion, as attackers can leverage sql injection to both extract credentials and hide their activities within legitimate database transactions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates through standard web application interfaces that are commonly exposed to public internet access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6373 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Joomla! component to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database accounts used by web applications have minimal required permissions, limiting potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious sql injection patterns. Additionally, comprehensive logging and monitoring of database activities can help detect anomalous queries that may indicate exploitation attempts. According to industry best practices and the owasp top ten project, sql injection remains one of the most critical web application security risks, making proactive defense measures essential. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security testing procedures to identify and remediate similar flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.