CVE-2010-1471 in Com Addressbook
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the AddressBook (com_addressbook) component 1.5.0 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 • 06/30/2025
The CVE-2010-1471 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the AddressBook component version 1.5.0 for Joomla! platforms. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the controller parameter within the index.php file, allowing malicious actors to exploit the lack of proper path validation through the use of directory traversal sequences. The flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files that should remain protected from external examination.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through the exploitation of insufficient parameter validation within the Joomla! component architecture. When a user submits a request containing a controller parameter with directory traversal sequences such as "..", the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it to construct file paths. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access files that reside outside the component's designated scope. The vulnerability specifically targets the AddressBook component's handling of the controller parameter, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate application functionality to gain unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1471 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user authentication data, and potentially execute arbitrary code within the application context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which catalogs improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, a common pattern in directory traversal attacks. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability fits within the attack pattern described by MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers file and directory discovery activities. The exploitability of this flaw makes it particularly dangerous for web applications running vulnerable versions of Joomla! as it can be easily automated and does not require elevated privileges or specialized knowledge beyond basic web application exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1471 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of the AddressBook component and ensure all Joomla! installations are updated to the latest stable releases. Implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, particularly around parameter handling in web applications, forms the foundation of defense against such attacks. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal patterns, restricting file system permissions to limit access to sensitive files, and deploying proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign components can introduce significant security risks when proper sanitization controls are not implemented.