CVE-2010-0953 in phpCOIN
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in mod.php in phpCOIN 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the mod parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0953 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the phpCOIN 1.2.1 content management system. This security weakness exists in the mod.php script where user input containing directory traversal sequences is not properly sanitized before being processed. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the mod parameter contains .. (dot dot) sequences that allow attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental security flaw in input validation and file access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation in the phpCOIN application's file handling routines. When a remote attacker submits a malicious mod parameter containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd, the application fails to sanitize this input properly, allowing the traversal operations to execute against the underlying file system. This flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive files that should remain protected, including configuration files, database credentials, system files, and potentially other sensitive data stored on the web server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without authentication, making it a critical security risk for any system running the affected version of phpCOIN.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using phpCOIN 1.2.1 as their web content management solution. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple file reading, as access to configuration files may reveal database connection strings, administrative credentials, and other sensitive system information. This vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Path Traversal" which is categorized under the broader domain of privilege escalation and information gathering. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct web requests, web application scanners, and automated exploitation tools that target known directory traversal patterns.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2010-0953 requires immediate implementation of input validation measures to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed by the application. Organizations should implement proper sanitization of user input, particularly in parameters that control file access operations, by filtering out or encoding special characters including dots and forward slashes that could enable traversal. The recommended approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts predefined, safe values for the mod parameter, or employing proper path normalization techniques that resolve absolute paths and prevent directory traversal attempts. Additionally, the application should be upgraded to a newer version of phpCOIN that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected version 1.2.1 is no longer supported and likely contains additional unpatched security issues. System administrators should also implement proper file access controls and ensure that web server directories are properly secured to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing common attack patterns that have been well-documented in security literature and industry standards.