CVE-2010-0279 in Read excel
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in upload.php in BTS-GI Read excel 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in an unspecified directory. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0279 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the BTS-GI Read excel 1.1 software package. This vulnerability exists within the upload.php component and poses significant security risks to affected systems. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions by uploading malicious files with executable extensions, subsequently executing arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file types and lack of proper access controls over uploaded files, creating a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized system access and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure of the upload.php script to properly validate file extensions and content types during the file upload process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading files with extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats that the application does not properly filter or reject. When successful, the uploaded files are stored in an unspecified directory within the web application's file system, making them directly accessible via HTTP requests. This allows attackers to execute malicious code by simply requesting the uploaded file through a direct HTTP GET or POST request, effectively bypassing any authentication or authorization mechanisms that might otherwise protect the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0279 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish a persistent backdoor, install additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices that violate fundamental security principles. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the threat.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file upload functionality, implementing strict file type validation, and ensuring proper access controls over uploaded files. The recommended approach involves filtering all uploaded files based on their content type and extension, implementing a whitelist of allowed file types, and storing uploaded files outside the web root directory to prevent direct execution. Additionally, proper input sanitization and validation should be enforced at multiple layers of the application architecture, including server-side validation and proper file access controls. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file upload attempts, and regularly monitor system logs for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing remote code execution attacks, emphasizing that even minor oversights in file handling can result in catastrophic security breaches.