CVE-2010-1345 in Com Ckforms
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Cookex Agency CKForms (com_ckforms) component 1.3.3 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the controller parameter to index.php.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2025
The CVE-2010-1345 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Cookex Agency CKForms component version 1.3.3 for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw specifically manifests in the controller parameter handling within the index.php script, where malicious actors can exploit the absence of proper path validation to manipulate file access requests. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive information including configuration files, database credentials, and other confidential data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing double dot sequences such as ../../../etc/passwd or similar patterns to bypass normal file access controls. The CKForms component fails to implement proper sanitization or validation of the controller parameter, allowing the application to interpret and process these traversal sequences as legitimate navigation commands. This weakness operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust placed in user input by the Joomla! framework, particularly within component-based architectures where input validation may be insufficiently enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration. Remote attackers could exploit this weakness to access sensitive system files, configuration databases, and potentially gain insights into the underlying server infrastructure. The vulnerability affects Joomla and its components, this vulnerability could impact numerous websites and organizations, potentially leading to unauthorized access to administrative interfaces, user data breaches, and broader system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the target system or prior authentication credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1345 should prioritize immediate component updates and patches from the vendor, as the Cookex Agency would have released fixes addressing the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation controls that specifically filter or reject directory traversal sequences in all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used for controller routing. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious traversal patterns in HTTP requests. Regular security audits and penetration testing should verify that all components and extensions maintain proper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where file system access should be restricted to only necessary components and paths. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to traverse system directories, as outlined in the attack techniques documented within the MITRE ATT&CK framework for credential access and privilege escalation activities.