CVE-2010-1308 in Com Svmap
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the SVMap (com_svmap) component 1.1.1 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the controller parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The CVE-2010-1308 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the SVMap component version 1.1.1 for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability resides in the component's handling of user-supplied input through the controller parameter in the index.php script, creating a pathway for remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The flaw specifically exploits the absence of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that should prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed by the application's file system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the standard directory traversal attack pattern where attackers append multiple dot-dot-slash sequences to manipulate file system paths. When the SVMap component processes the controller parameter without adequate validation, it fails to sanitize the input before using it in file operations, allowing an attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness in web application input handling. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely through web browser interactions, making it highly exploitable in automated attack scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code if the application has write permissions to critical directories. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to read database configuration files, administrator credentials, application source code, and other sensitive artifacts that could lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, as it enables adversaries to discover and extract valuable information from compromised systems. Organizations running vulnerable Joomla! installations could face severe consequences including data breaches, system takeover, and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive data is stored on the same servers as the web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected SVMap component to version 1.1.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, server-level restrictions, and application code modifications to ensure all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before processing. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components and applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched components to ensure that security fixes do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the integrity of the overall system security posture.