CVE-2010-1714 in Com Arcadegames
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Arcade Games (com_arcadegames) component 1.0 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 • 07/05/2025
The CVE-2010-1714 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Arcade Games component version 1.0 for Joomla! platforms. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw specifically manifests in the controller parameter handling within the index.php file, where the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be used to manipulate file paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into the controller parameter, effectively allowing them to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This weakness enables attackers to access files and directories that are stored on the server outside of the web root directory, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system compromise, or information disclosure. The vulnerability exists because the application directly incorporates user input into file system operations without proper validation or sanitization, creating an environment where malicious path manipulation can occur.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1714 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially database credentials stored on the affected server. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to read php.ini files, access database configuration files, or retrieve other sensitive system information that could aid in further exploitation. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Arcade Games component prior to 1.0, making it particularly dangerous as it represents a widespread issue across many Joomla! installations that may not have been properly updated or patched. This type of vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1083, which describes directory and file permissions enumeration, as it allows adversaries to discover and access files that should be restricted.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1714 require immediate action from system administrators to address the underlying directory traversal vulnerability. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the official patch or upgrade provided by the Joomla! development team for the Arcade Games component, which typically includes input validation and sanitization measures to prevent path traversal attacks. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level by filtering or rejecting special characters such as .. and / in controller parameters can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security measures should also include restricting file system access permissions, implementing web application firewalls with content filtering capabilities, and establishing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regularly auditing their web applications for similar vulnerabilities to prevent future incidents.