CVE-2010-1080 in Pulse
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in view.php in Pulse CMS 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the f parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The CVE-2010-1080 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in Pulse CMS version 1.2.2 that demonstrates the persistent challenge of input validation in content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the view.php script and occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input passed through the f parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers, making it a significant security risk for any website utilizing this CMS version. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements and passes this data through the f parameter in the view.php endpoint. When the vulnerable CMS processes this input without adequate sanitization, the malicious code becomes embedded in the page output and executes whenever other users view the affected content. This creates a persistent threat where legitimate users may unknowingly execute malicious payloads that could steal session cookies, redirect to phishing sites, or perform other unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the CMS.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1080 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate content within the CMS. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and T1059 which involves command and control through script execution. Organizations using Pulse CMS 1.2.2 face significant risk of credential theft, unauthorized content modification, and potential establishment of persistent backdoors through this vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many small businesses and organizations may not regularly update their CMS installations, leaving them exposed to known vulnerabilities for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1080 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable Pulse CMS version to the latest available release that addresses this specific XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. The recommended approach includes implementing strict parameter validation for the f parameter in view.php, employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of all web applications. Additionally, organizations should establish automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates and reduce the window of exposure for known vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious script injection attempts and regular scanning for XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping CMS platforms updated and implementing proper web application security controls to prevent exploitation of input validation flaws.