CVE-2010-1059 in Address Book Script
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in staff/app/common.inc.php in Phpkobo Address Book Script 1.09, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the LANG_CODE parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1059 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Phpkobo Address Book Script version 1.09, specifically affecting the staff/app/common.inc.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing. The flaw manifests when the magic_quotes_gpc directive is disabled in the php.ini configuration, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the LANG_CODE parameter to access arbitrary local files through carefully crafted directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the lack of proper path validation, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and potentially access sensitive system files or execute malicious code within the web application's context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a pattern consistent with directory traversal attacks classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. Attackers can manipulate the LANG_CODE parameter by inserting sequences such as ../ or ../../../ to move up directory levels and access files that should remain protected within the application's designated directories. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to properly escape special characters in user input, making it susceptible to injection attacks that can bypass normal file access controls. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it allows for both file inclusion and execution, potentially enabling remote code execution depending on the system configuration and file permissions. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Server-side Include" and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices that have been documented extensively in security literature and incident reports.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1059 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the application runs with elevated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access database configuration files, user credentials, application source code, and other sensitive information stored on the server. The vulnerability also enables arbitrary file inclusion attacks that can lead to persistent backdoor installation or privilege escalation within the compromised environment. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Phpkobo Address Book Script face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive personal or business information is stored. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in input validation and file access control mechanisms that have become standard industry expectations for secure application development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1059 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against exploitation attempts. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of the Phpkobo Address Book Script that addresses the directory traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used for file inclusion operations, by employing allowlists of acceptable values rather than attempting to filter out dangerous characters. The magic_quotes_gpc directive should be enabled in php.ini configurations when possible, though this represents only a partial defense mechanism. Additional protective measures include implementing proper file access controls, restricting web application permissions, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and parameter manipulation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and implement secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks through proper input validation, output encoding, and least privilege access controls. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of relying on server configuration settings as primary security controls.