CVE-2018-7314 in PrayerCenter
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in the PrayerCenter 3.0.2 component for Joomla! via the sessionid parameter, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-6429.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7314 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PrayerCenter 3.0.2 component for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness specifically manifests through the sessionid parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Unlike CVE-2008-6429 which affected different components, this vulnerability targets the PrayerCenter module's handling of session identifiers, making it distinct in both scope and impact. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the component's codebase, particularly in how it processes user-supplied session identifiers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a direct result of improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The attack vector leverages the component's failure to properly escape or validate the sessionid parameter before incorporating it into database queries, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can manipulate, retrieve, or destroy database contents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the Joomla! environment and potentially compromise the entire platform. When an attacker successfully exploits this SQL injection flaw, they can execute arbitrary database commands that may include data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The sessionid parameter serves as a critical entry point since it typically contains session information that the application uses to maintain user state and authentication context. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, or even inject malicious code into the database that could propagate to other system components. The consequences include potential exposure of user credentials, personal information, and sensitive prayer center data that may be stored within the database. This vulnerability specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1213.002 which addresses data from information repositories, as attackers can exploit the component to extract and manipulate stored data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7314 require immediate attention through several defensive measures. The primary remediation involves updating the PrayerCenter component to a patched version that properly validates and sanitizes all input parameters, particularly the sessionid field. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms that ensure session identifiers conform to expected formats and do not contain malicious SQL characters or sequences. Database query parameterization should be enforced throughout the component's codebase to prevent direct concatenation of user input into SQL statements. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with SQL injection detection capabilities can provide an additional layer of protection. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of Joomla! extensions and components are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist within other third-party modules. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles for database access, ensuring that the application's database user accounts have minimal required permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security assessments of web applications and their components to prevent such persistent threats from compromising system integrity and user data confidentiality.