CVE-2008-1297: SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the eWriting (com_ewriting) 1.2.1 module for Mambo and Joomla! all

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-1297 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ewriting, com ewriting, com ewriting. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the eWriting (com_ewriting) 1.2.1 module for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter in a selectcat action.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2008-03-12
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ewriting · joomla · mambo

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-03-12 17:44 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ewriting ewriting DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ewriting || rpm -q ewriting || ewriting --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ewriting sudo apt install ewriting=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold ewriting

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ewriting sudo dnf downgrade ewriting-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add ewriting

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

joomla com ewriting DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy com-ewriting || rpm -q com-ewriting || com-ewriting --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison com-ewriting sudo apt install com-ewriting=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold com-ewriting

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list com-ewriting sudo dnf downgrade com-ewriting-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add com-ewriting

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

mambo com ewriting DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy com-ewriting || rpm -q com-ewriting || com-ewriting --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison com-ewriting sudo apt install com-ewriting=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold com-ewriting

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list com-ewriting sudo dnf downgrade com-ewriting-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add com-ewriting

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Mambo Component eWriting 1.2.1 - 'cat' SQL Injection

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2008-1297?

ewriting: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; com ewriting: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; com ewriting: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-1297 being exploited?

CVE-2008-1297 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2008-1297 affect?

CVE-2008-1297 affects ewriting, com ewriting, com ewriting. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the eWriting (com_ewriting) 1.2.1 module for Mambo and Joomla! allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter in a selectcat action.

How urgent is CVE-2008-1297?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Joomla vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

References

← Back to latest CVEs