CVE-2010-5281 in ibrowser
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ibrowser.php in the CMScout 2.09 IBrowser TinyMCE Plugin 1.4.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the lang parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2010-5281 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the CMScout 2.09 IBrowser TinyMCE Plugin version 1.4.1 that exploits a fundamental security weakness in input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the ibrowser.php component where the lang parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to manipulate file access paths. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when the web server has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally prevent such attacks from succeeding. This configuration leaves the application exposed to malicious input manipulation that can bypass normal file system access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the lang parameter using directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application processes these traversal sequences directly without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that can access sensitive files beyond the intended scope of the application. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness enables attackers to access files that should normally be restricted, including configuration files, database credentials, and other sensitive system resources that could compromise the entire web application and underlying infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system files that may contain database connection strings, administrative credentials, and other sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system configuration files, access application source code, and potentially gain insights into the application architecture that could facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the use of malicious file content to gain initial access, and T1213, which involves data from information repositories. Organizations running vulnerable versions of CMScout with this plugin face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their web applications, particularly when the affected systems lack proper input validation and sanitization controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5281 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed as legitimate file paths. The most effective immediate fix involves updating to a patched version of the CMScout platform and the IBrowser TinyMCE plugin, as vendors typically release security patches to address such vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization methods that validate and filter all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, and proper access controls should be enforced to limit the impact of potential breaches. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar path traversal attacks across all application components.