CVE-2010-2676 in Open Web Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in index.php in Open Web Analytics (OWA) 1.2.3 might allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the (1) owa_action and (2) owa_do parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2676 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Open Web Analytics platform version 1.2.3. This issue manifests in the index.php script where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate parameter values and access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects the owa_action and owa_do parameters, which are processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature enable attackers to navigate beyond the web root directory and access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal file access restrictions. The impact extends beyond simple file reading capabilities as the vulnerability may potentially allow for arbitrary code execution or information disclosure depending on the system configuration and the specific files accessed through the traversal mechanism.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2676 is significant for organizations utilizing Open Web Analytics 1.2.3, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive information from the web server. This includes potentially accessing database configuration files, application source code, user credentials stored in configuration files, or other system files that contain confidential data. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the web application is exposed to untrusted networks. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, and T1566 for initial access through web application attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Open Web Analytics platform to a version that addresses the directory traversal issue. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file operations or path resolution. The implementation of a web application firewall or intrusion prevention system can provide additional layers of protection by filtering out suspicious path traversal sequences. Security configurations should enforce strict access controls and ensure that the web application runs with minimal necessary privileges. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and to ensure that proper input validation mechanisms are consistently applied across all web applications within the organization's infrastructure.