CVE-2010-3205 in Textpattern
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in Textpattern CMS 4.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the inc parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3205 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in Textpattern CMS version 4.2.0 that exposes the application to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php file and stems from improper input validation when processing the 'inc' parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized PHP code on the target server. The flaw operates within the broader context of web application security where insufficient sanitization of user-supplied inputs leads to dangerous code execution scenarios that can compromise entire server infrastructures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability categorized under CWE-88, which occurs when a web application incorporates files based on user-provided input without proper validation or sanitization. In this specific case, the 'inc' parameter in the index.php script accepts URL values that are directly processed and included by the PHP interpreter, allowing attackers to specify external malicious files that get executed as part of the web application's normal processing flow. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the parameter to reference attacker-controlled remote resources, making it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3205 extends far beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete server compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, establish persistent access, steal database credentials, and potentially use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability's classification under the MITRE ATT&CK framework places it within the 'TA0001 - Initial Access' and 'TA0002 - Execution' phases, where adversaries can establish footholds and execute malicious payloads through web-based attack vectors. Organizations running affected versions of Textpattern CMS face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Textpattern CMS that properly validates and sanitizes the 'inc' parameter input, ensuring that only legitimate local file paths are processed. Security configurations should implement strict input validation that rejects external URL references and employs whitelisting mechanisms for file inclusion operations. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious parameter values, implement proper network segmentation to limit attack surface, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting web server file inclusion capabilities and ensuring that the application runs with minimal required permissions to reduce potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.