CVE-2010-1306 in Com Joomlapicasa2
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Picasa (com_joomlapicasa2) component 2.0 and 2.0.5 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the controller parameter to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2025
The CVE-2010-1306 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Picasa component for Joomla! versions 2.0 and 2.0.5, specifically affecting the com_joomlapicasa2 module. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization within the component's controller parameter handling mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the controller parameter in the index.php file, where attackers can inject .. (dot dot) sequences to traverse directory paths. When the Joomla! application processes these malicious inputs without proper validation, it fails to restrict access to files outside the intended web root directory. This allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, user data, and other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform reconnaissance and information disclosure attacks. An attacker could potentially access Joomla! configuration files containing database connection details, administrator credentials, or other sensitive system information. The vulnerability also enables further attack vectors such as privilege escalation, as attackers might gain access to administrative interfaces or system files that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1306 should include immediate patching of the affected Joomla installation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use the discovered information to craft more targeted attacks. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts.