CVE-2003-1239 in WihPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in sendphoto.php in WihPhoto 0.86 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. specifiers in the album parameter, and the target filename in the pic parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1239 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the WihPhoto 0.86 web application, specifically affecting the sendphoto.php script. This weakness enables malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the target system through carefully crafted input parameters that exploit insufficient input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the album parameter and pic parameter, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths using directory traversal sequences such as .. to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. Attackers can construct malicious requests that include .. sequences in the album parameter to traverse parent directories and in the pic parameter to specify target filenames, effectively bypassing access controls that should restrict file operations to legitimate user albums. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to access sensitive files such as configuration data, database credentials, system files, or other confidential information stored on the web server. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file reading as it can potentially enable further exploitation through access to system resources or sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the affected environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations deploying WihPhoto 0.86 systems, as it allows remote code execution capabilities through file inclusion attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a web-based photo management application that may be accessible to unauthenticated users. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability can be exploited using standard web application attack techniques and does not require specialized tools or extensive knowledge of the underlying system. The impact is further amplified by the fact that directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature often remain undetected for extended periods due to the subtle nature of the exploitation methods and the potential for legitimate user activity to mask malicious behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1239 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed as part of user-supplied parameters. Organizations should enforce proper access controls and file path validation by implementing whitelisting approaches that restrict file operations to predefined directories and valid file extensions. The solution should include comprehensive parameter validation that rejects or removes directory traversal sequences such as .. and %2e%2e%2f from all user inputs before processing. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that the WihPhoto application is updated to a patched version or replaced with a more secure alternative, as the vulnerability has been known for over two decades and represents a fundamental security flaw in the application architecture. Implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing directory traversal attacks.