CVE-2010-1217 in JE Form Creator
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the JE Form Creator (com_jeformcr) component for Joomla!, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the view parameter to index.php. NOTE: the original researcher states that the affected product is JE Tooltip, not Form Creator; however, the exploit URL suggests that Form Creator is affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The CVE-2010-1217 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Joomla! content management system that specifically targets the JE Form Creator component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the component's parameter handling, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the server. The flaw is particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which removes a crucial security layer that would otherwise prevent such attacks from succeeding. The vulnerability manifests through the view parameter in the index.php file, where directory traversal sequences can be injected to manipulate file access operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in how the component processes user-supplied input without proper sanitization. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to properly escape or validate special characters in the view parameter, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs containing sequences like ../../etc/passwd that can traverse the file system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified as a code injection flaw that permits unauthorized file access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive files that may contain database credentials, configuration details, or other critical system information. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, as attackers might gain access to administrative files, user databases, or even server configuration files that could be used to escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the Joomla! installation, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage the compromised system to access additional resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1217 involve multiple layers of defensive measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security posture. The most effective immediate fix is to ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is enabled in the PHP configuration, although this is a temporary measure since PHP deprecated this feature in version 5.3.0 and removed it entirely in PHP 7.0.0. The proper solution involves implementing input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Joomla and the component developers, as well as consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web server processes run with minimal necessary permissions and that file access controls are properly configured to prevent unauthorized file access regardless of application-level vulnerabilities.