MODX Manager Path Traversal Attempt via tvs.php class_key (CVE-2010-5278)

Alerts on HTTP requests to MODx tvs.php with traversal-based class_key payload indicative of LFI attempts.

FreeReviewedSigma · Critical · v5

Category: webserver
Author: Subhash Popuri (@pbssubhash) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2021-08-25
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
- T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies web requests targeting MODX Revolution’s manager/controllers/default/resource/tvs.php with a class_key parameter containing directory traversal sequences that attempt to read sensitive files (e.g., windows/win.ini) and include a null byte. Attackers use traversal payloads to escape intended directories and retrieve arbitrary files, potentially exposing credentials, configuration, or other sensitive data. Telemetry required is HTTP query-string visibility that includes the tvs.php request path and the class_key value.

Reporting behind it

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MODX Manager Path Traversal Attempt via tvs.php class_key (CVE-2010-5278)

Pivot detection · T1190 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

web-exploitation-attempt-modx-manager-lfi-traversal-in-tvs-php-class-key-cve-201-a4a899e8

title: MODX Manager Path Traversal Attempt via tvs.php class_key (CVE-2010-5278)
id: 3a0f94b1-fcdd-4c3d-8934-22367ea0a6a0
status: test
description: This rule identifies web requests targeting MODX Revolution’s manager/controllers/default/resource/tvs.php with a class_key parameter containing directory traversal sequences that attempt to read sensitive files (e.g., windows/win.ini) and include a null byte. Attackers use traversal payloads to escape intended directories and retrieve arbitrary files, potentially exposing credentials, configuration, or other sensitive data. Telemetry required is HTTP query-string visibility that includes the tvs.php request path and the class_key value.
references:
  - https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2010/Exploits/CVE-2010-5278/web_cve_2010_5278_exploitation_attempt.yml
author: Subhash Popuri (@pbssubhash), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-08-25
modified: 2023-01-02
tags:
  - attack.initial-access
  - attack.t1190
  - cve.2010-5278
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: webserver
detection:
  selection:
    cs-uri-query|contains: /manager/controllers/default/resource/tvs.php?class_key=../../../../../../../../../../windows/win.ini%00
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Scanning from Nuclei
  - Unknown
level: critical
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: a4a899e8-fd7a-49dd-b5a8-7044def72d61
    type: derived

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