CVE-2010-1535 in Com Travelbook
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the TRAVELbook (com_travelbook) component 1.0.1 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 • 03/30/2025
The CVE-2010-1535 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the TRAVELbook component version 1.0.1 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 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 flaw enables attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy using standard directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system files that should remain protected.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted URL containing directory traversal sequences in the controller parameter. The vulnerable component fails to validate or sanitize this input, permitting the application to interpret the malicious path traversal requests and subsequently access files outside the intended directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and output encoding that allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain access to system files, configuration data, or other sensitive resources that should be protected from external access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system information that could facilitate further exploitation. Attackers may be able to read configuration files containing database credentials, application secrets, or other sensitive data that could enable them to escalate privileges or compromise the entire Joomla site utilizing the vulnerable TRAVELbook component. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1535 should focus on immediate component updates and input validation improvements. The primary remediation involves upgrading the TRAVELbook component to a version that properly validates and sanitizes input parameters, specifically addressing the controller parameter handling. System administrators should implement proper input validation mechanisms that reject or sanitize any path traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. This includes implementing strict parameter validation, using allowlists for acceptable controller values, and implementing proper access controls that prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, as well as regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, and T1566, which addresses credential access through various attack vectors including path traversal methods that can lead to broader system compromise.