CVE-2010-4971 in PHP 2 Way Video Chat
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in VideoWhisper PHP 2 Way Video Chat component for Joomla! allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the r parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4971 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the VideoWhisper PHP 2 Way Video Chat component for Joomla content management systems that have installed the VideoWhisper video chat component, making it a significant concern for websites relying on this particular plugin for interactive video functionality.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the VideoWhisper component's parameter processing mechanism. When the r parameter is passed through the index.php script without proper sanitization, the component fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a cross-site scripting weakness, specifically targeting the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. When users interact with the vulnerable video chat component, any malicious code injected through the r parameter executes in their browser, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data. The attack surface is particularly concerning for websites that host video chat functionality, as users may unknowingly execute malicious scripts while participating in video conversations. This vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including social engineering, where attackers craft malicious URLs that users might click on, or through compromised websites that serve malicious content to unsuspecting visitors.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves updating the VideoWhisper component to the latest available version that contains proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement proper parameter validation at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied input undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed or displayed. Additionally, implementing content security policies can help prevent the execution of unauthorized scripts even if the vulnerability is not fully patched. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.008 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing, highlighting the need for both defensive measures and user awareness training to prevent exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Joomla! platform, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications.