CVE-2010-0642 in Collaboration Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Collaboration Server (CCS) 5 allows remote attackers to read the source code of JHTML files via URL encoded characters in the filename extension, as demonstrated by (1) changing .jhtml to %2Ejhtml, (2) changing .jhtml to .jhtm%6C, (3) appending %00 after .jhtml, and (4) appending %c0%80 after .jhtml, related to the (a) doc/docindex.jhtml, (b) browserId/wizardForm.jhtml, (c) webline/html/forms/callback.jhtml, (d) webline/html/forms/callbackICM.jhtml, (e) webline/html/agent/AgentFrame.jhtml, (f) webline/html/agent/default/badlogin.jhtml, (g) callme/callForm.jhtml, (h) webline/html/multichatui/nowDefunctWindow.jhtml, (i) browserId/wizard.jhtml, (j) admin/CiscoAdmin.jhtml, (k) msccallme/mscCallForm.jhtml, and (l) webline/html/admin/wcs/LoginPage.jhtml components.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0642 represents a critical file inclusion and path traversal flaw within Cisco Collaboration Server version 5 that enables remote attackers to access sensitive source code files through manipulated URL parameters. This issue specifically targets JHTML files which are server-side includes used for dynamic web content generation within the Cisco collaboration platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of filename extensions, allowing attackers to bypass normal file access controls through various encoding techniques that manipulate how the server interprets file paths.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages multiple URL encoding methods to manipulate file extension parsing. Attackers can successfully bypass security controls by transforming standard .jhtml extensions into encoded variants such as %2Ejhtml where %2E represents the dot character, or by using .jhtm%6C where %6C represents the lowercase 'l' character, or by appending null bytes %00 or UTF-8 encoded null bytes %c0%80. These encoding techniques exploit weaknesses in the server's file path resolution mechanism, allowing the system to interpret the manipulated URLs as legitimate file access requests rather than malicious attempts to traverse directories or access restricted files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it exposes the source code of critical administrative and user interface components within the Cisco Collaboration Server. The affected files include administrative interfaces such as CiscoAdmin.jhtml, login pages like LoginPage.jhtml, agent frames, call forms, and wizard components that contain sensitive implementation details, configuration parameters, and potentially authentication logic. This exposure creates substantial risk for attackers seeking to understand the internal architecture, identify additional vulnerabilities, or develop more sophisticated attacks against the system.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-471 Incorrectly Implemented Input Validation, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that allow attackers to manipulate file access mechanisms. From an ATT&CK perspective, this represents a technique that falls under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1213 Data from Information Repositories, enabling attackers to harvest sensitive information through indirect means. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566 Credential Access through Information Discovery, as the exposed source code may contain hard-coded credentials or configuration details that could be leveraged for further compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation of all file path parameters, implementation of proper file extension filtering, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block encoded URL patterns. The Cisco Collaboration Server should be updated to versions that address this specific vulnerability, and all exposed administrative interfaces should be protected through proper authentication mechanisms and network segmentation. Additionally, comprehensive code reviews should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious URL access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.