CVE-2010-0676 in Com Rwcards
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in the RWCards (com_rwcards) component 3.0.18 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the controller parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The CVE-2010-0676 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the RWCards component version 3.0.18 for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability resides within the index.php file and specifically targets the controller parameter handling mechanism. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file paths through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can potentially expose sensitive system files, configuration data, and user information that should remain protected within the application's intended scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the component's parameter handling logic. When the controller parameter receives input containing directory traversal sequences, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing file operations. This lack of proper input filtering creates a pathway for attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should be restricted. The vulnerability operates at the application level where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file system operations without adequate security checks, making it a classic example of insecure input handling that aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe security implications for Joomla! installations using the affected RWCards component. Attackers can potentially access sensitive files including database configuration details, user credential storage, application source code, and other system files that contain confidential information. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to user information, with potential downstream effects including privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate patching of the RWCards component to version 3.0.19 or later is the primary recommendation, as this update resolves the directory traversal flaw through proper input validation and sanitization. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block directory traversal attempts can provide additional protection. Input validation should be enforced at all application entry points where file operations occur, ensuring that any path parameters are strictly validated against expected patterns and that directory traversal sequences are rejected. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles for web application directories and regularly audit file access permissions to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, which emphasizes the need for proper input validation and sanitization to prevent unauthorized file access through parameter manipulation.