CVE-2002-2130 in Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
publish_xp_docs.php in Gallery 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the GALLERY_BASEDIR parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2130 affects Gallery 1.3.2, a web-based photo gallery application that was widely used in the early 2000s for managing and publishing digital images online. This security flaw resides in the publish_xp_docs.php script which is part of the application's documentation publishing functionality. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference combined with remote code execution, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The issue stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied input that is directly incorporated into file system operations without adequate validation or sanitization. When an attacker manipulates the GALLERY_BASEDIR parameter, they can redirect the application to fetch and execute code from an external web server, effectively bypassing local security controls and gaining unauthorized access to the server's resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a path traversal or include vulnerability pattern that falls under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code. The attack vector specifically targets the application's trust in user input for determining file paths, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary URLs that contain malicious PHP code. This creates a remote code execution scenario where the Gallery application acts as an unwitting proxy, downloading and executing code from remote locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can access the vulnerable web application. The attack typically involves crafting a malicious URL that points to a server controlled by the attacker, which then delivers PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server process, potentially granting full system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server and its resources. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and installation of backdoors or additional malware. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and underlying system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running vulnerable Gallery installations face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential use as a staging ground for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also impacts the application's security posture by undermining the trust model that assumes local file system operations are safe from external manipulation, creating a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly until patched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves applying the official security patch released by the Gallery development team, which typically includes input validation and sanitization for the GALLERY_BASEDIR parameter. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that restricts file path inputs to legitimate local directories and rejects any external URL references. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for suspicious parameter values. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for web application processes reduces the potential damage from successful exploitation, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments help identify similar issues in other applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for defensive measures targeting these attack patterns. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that track file system access patterns and unusual network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date security information through vulnerability databases and security advisories.