CVE-2001-1234 in Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Bharat Mediratta Gallery PHP script before 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by including files from remote web sites via an HTTP request that modifies the includedir variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1234 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the Bharat Mediratta Gallery PHP script version 1.2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insecure file inclusion mechanisms that allow remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted HTTP requests. The flaw specifically targets the includedir variable, which controls the directory from which files are included during script execution, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious code from remote servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits PHP's include functionality, which permits dynamic file inclusion based on user-supplied parameters. When the includedir variable is modified through HTTP request parameters, the script fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This creates a classic path traversal and remote code execution scenario where attackers can specify arbitrary URLs or file paths that will be included and executed by the vulnerable PHP interpreter. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands on the target server with the privileges of the web application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to affected systems as it enables complete remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify website content, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects web applications running on PHP environments and can lead to full system compromise, data breaches, and potential denial of service conditions. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Bharat Mediratta Gallery script face significant exposure to automated exploitation attempts and targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1234 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software to version 1.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The use of allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives should be disabled in PHP configuration to prevent remote file inclusion attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, network segmentation, and regular security audits can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-98 and CWE-22 categories, representing improper input validation and path traversal issues that are commonly exploited in web application attacks. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, making it a prime target for automated exploitation frameworks and malware distribution.