CVE-2010-1060 in Short URL
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in staff/app/common.inc.php in Phpkobo Short URL 1.01, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the LANG_CODE parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1060 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Phpkobo Short URL 1.01 web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the staff/app/common.inc.php file and exploits a fundamental security weakness in how the application handles user input parameters. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes a crucial layer of protection against malicious input manipulation. The vulnerability manifests through the LANG_CODE parameter, which accepts user-supplied input without proper sanitization or validation, creating an exploitable path traversal condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insecure file handling practices within the application's codebase. When the LANG_CODE parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), the application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in file inclusion operations. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle user input through GET or POST parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it can enable complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target server by including and executing local files, potentially leading to full system control. The implications are severe as it allows attackers to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user data, and potentially system binaries. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through command injection, and T1083, which focuses on discovering system information through directory listing. The attack can result in data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Developers should employ whitelist validation techniques that only accept predefined, safe values for the LANG_CODE parameter rather than allowing arbitrary input. Additionally, the application should implement proper directory restriction mechanisms that prevent path traversal attempts by validating file paths against a whitelist of acceptable directories. Organizations should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization measures when this setting is disabled. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as well as implementing proper error handling that does not expose sensitive file system information to users. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the vulnerability has been properly addressed and to identify any additional security weaknesses that may exist.