CVE-2010-1265 in Com Dcs Flashgames
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Adam Corley dcsFlashGames (com_dcs_flashgames) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the catid parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1265 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the dcsFlashGames component of the adam corley joomla extension. This vulnerability specifically affects the com_dcs_flashgames component which is widely used in joomla content management systems for hosting flash games. The flaw exists in the index.php file where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the catid parameter which is used to filter content categories. The vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, where untrusted data is directly concatenated into sql command strings without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that can be executed with the privileges of the database user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attacker can extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative details stored within the database. Additionally, the vulnerability enables data manipulation, allowing attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially corrupting the entire website functionality. The sql injection can also be used to escalate privileges within the database, potentially granting the attacker administrative access to the entire database system. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the category of sql injection attacks, where the attacker targets web applications to execute malicious sql commands. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious payloads that bypass input validation and inject sql syntax into the vulnerable parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the dcsFlashGames component. When the catid parameter is passed to index.php without adequate filtering, the application directly incorporates this user-supplied data into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This creates an environment where sql commands can be injected through the parameter, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended database query execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely deployed joomla extension, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. The lack of proper input validation represents a fundamental security flaw that violates basic secure coding practices and standards such as those outlined in the owasp top ten project, specifically addressing injection flaws. Organizations using this vulnerable component face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive data through unauthorized database access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1265 should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. The primary solution involves applying the vendor-supplied security patches or upgrading to the latest version of the dcsFlashGames component where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that user input is never directly concatenated into sql commands. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level filtering and database-level protections. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within other components of the joomla installation. Database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of the database user account used by the web application, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual database activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in the application functionality while maintaining the security improvements. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar injection vulnerabilities throughout their web applications and infrastructure.