CVE-2010-0696 in Jw Allvideos
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in includes/download.php in the JoomlaWorks AllVideos (Jw_allVideos) plugin 3.0 through 3.2 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ./../.../ (modified dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0696 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the JoomlaWorks AllVideos plugin version 3.0 through 3.2 for the Joomla! content management system. This weakness specifically affects the includes/download.php component which handles file operations and validation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly validate or filter user-supplied file parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to access unauthorized files on the web server. The attack vector exploits the use of modified dot-dot sequences such as ./../.../ which bypass standard path traversal protections by manipulating the file system navigation logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing the modified dot-dot traversal sequences in the file parameter of the download.php script. The plugin fails to properly sanitize this input, allowing the traversal sequences to be interpreted by the underlying file system operations. This enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server, potentially including sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential data. The vulnerability specifically affects the file parameter handling within the download functionality, making it particularly dangerous for plugins that process user input for file operations. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability, which falls under the category of weak input validation and inadequate access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially escalate their privileges and compromise the entire web application environment. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access critical system files, configuration databases, and potentially gain insights into the server architecture and application logic. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate plugin functionality but also poses risks to the broader Joomla! installation, as the compromised plugin could serve as a foothold for further attacks. Attackers might use this vulnerability to retrieve sensitive files such as database connection details, administrator credentials, or application configuration files that could facilitate additional exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of the ATT&CK framework, where it maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through path traversal methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0696 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects or normalizes any input containing traversal sequences before processing. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts known good file paths or properly encoding user input to prevent interpretation of special characters. Additionally, the plugin should be updated to a patched version that properly handles file parameter validation and implements proper access controls to restrict file system access to authorized directories only. Security measures should also include restricting file system permissions for the web application, implementing proper logging of file access attempts, and conducting regular security audits of third-party plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, particularly for plugins that handle file operations and user-supplied data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file access patterns and prevent exploitation attempts.