CVE-2010-1658 in Com Noticeboard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Code-Garage NoticeBoard (com_noticeboard) component 1.3 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 • 08/20/2025
The CVE-2010-1658 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Code-Garage NoticeBoard component version 1.3 for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the component's handling of user input through the controller parameter in the index.php file, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the component's code execution flow, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file access paths through the use of directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker's ability to manipulate the controller parameter by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse up the directory structure. When the Joomla! application processes these malformed parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, user information, or even system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file reading, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions depending on the system configuration and file permissions.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Joomla! websites utilizing the affected NoticeBoard component, as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to critical system resources. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) aligns with common security weaknesses that enable path traversal attacks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable website, and the impact can range from data theft to full system takeover depending on the server configuration and file permissions.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to a patched version of the Code-Garage NoticeBoard component or applying the appropriate security patches provided by the vendor. Organizations should also implement proper input validation mechanisms and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Additional mitigations include restricting file system access permissions for web applications, implementing proper logging and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components or plugins within the Joomla! ecosystem.