CVE-2010-1076 in el CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Entry Level CMS (EL CMS) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the subj parameter, which is not properly handled in a forced SQL error message. 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 CVE-2010-1076 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Entry Level CMS (EL CMS) content management system, specifically targeting the index.php script. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and well-documented web application security weaknesses. The flaw manifests when the subj parameter in the index.php file is processed without proper input sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code into the application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific code path involving SQL error handling within the CMS. When a malformed or malicious input is provided via the subj parameter, the system generates a forced SQL error message that inadvertently includes the unsanitized user input in its output. This creates a perfect storm where the application's error handling mechanism becomes the vector for XSS injection, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate application error reporting mechanisms rather than requiring direct injection into user-facing forms or parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using EL CMS, as it enables remote code execution in the browsers of unsuspecting users. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when clicked by victims, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or defacing the website content. The attack surface is broad since the subj parameter is likely a common input field used for subject lines or similar content, making it accessible through normal application usage patterns. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1584.001 for Establishing Persistence, as it can be used to deliver malicious payloads and maintain access through compromised user sessions.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1076 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application. All user-supplied inputs must be sanitized and validated before processing, with particular attention to error handling routines that may inadvertently display user data. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS exploitation. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of EL CMS or migrating to more secure content management platforms that follow modern security standards. Regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while proper error handling design should ensure that error messages do not expose sensitive information or user input to end users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input/output handling, particularly in error conditions where applications may inadvertently expose user data to malicious actors.