CVE-2010-1470 in Com Webtv
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Web TV (com_webtv) component 1.0 for Joomla! allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and possibly have unspecified other impact via a .. (dot dot) in the controller parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The CVE-2010-1470 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Web TV component version 1.0 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the controller parameter in the index.php script. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes directory navigation sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters, which are commonly used to traverse upward through directory structures in file systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests that include these traversal sequences, enabling them to access files outside the intended web root directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation. When the Joomla! application processes the controller parameter without proper sanitization, it allows attackers to manipulate the file system path resolution logic. This occurs because the application fails to validate or filter out sequences that could alter the intended file access paths, particularly those involving parent directory references. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that manipulate the controller parameter to include directory traversal sequences, effectively bypassing normal access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1470 extends beyond simple file reading capabilities and can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user authentication data, and other critical system information that should remain protected. The unspecified other impacts referenced in the vulnerability description may include arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions depending on the specific system configuration and file permissions. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1470 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Joomla installations. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules that detect and block directory traversal patterns can provide an additional layer of protection. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other application components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation across all user-controllable parameters in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access, highlighting its potential for both information disclosure and privilege escalation attacks.