CVE-2010-1474 in Com Sweetykeeper
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Sweety Keeper (com_sweetykeeper) component 1.5.x 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 • 09/01/2025
The CVE-2010-1474 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Sweety Keeper component version 1.5.x for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the component's handling of the controller parameter in the index.php script, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file access paths. The flaw enables remote attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive data and system information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input, particularly when processing the controller parameter that controls component execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in path resolution mechanisms within the Joomla! component architecture. When the controller parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass normal access controls and retrieve files from locations outside the intended web root or component directories. The vulnerability can be leveraged to access configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other sensitive data stored on the server filesystem. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest potential additional consequences including privilege escalation or system compromise opportunities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Joomla installations that had not yet updated to patched versions. Security operations teams must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1474 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Joomla! component to the latest secure version that addresses the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in file access operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by blocking known malicious patterns in controller parameters. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components and ensure proper input validation practices are maintained throughout the application architecture. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to severe privilege escalation and data exposure scenarios. This flaw demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks that emphasize proper input sanitization and access control mechanisms.