CVE-2003-1489 in Truegalerie
Summary
by MITRE
upload.php in Truegalerie 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying the target filename in the file cookie in form.php, then downloading the file from the image gallery.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1489 resides within the Truegalerie 1.0 web application's upload.php component, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized file access operations. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the manipulation of the file cookie parameter within the form.php interface, allowing malicious actors to specify arbitrary target filenames that can then be downloaded from the image gallery system. The flaw fundamentally compromises the application's file access controls and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices that have persisted in legacy web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper file path handling within the Truegalerie application's file processing pipeline. When users interact with the form.php interface and subsequently manipulate the file cookie parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the specified filename before processing it within the upload.php component. This lack of proper input validation creates a path traversal condition where attackers can craft malicious cookie values that reference files outside the intended upload directory. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal file access restrictions and retrieve files that should remain protected within the application's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to potentially sensitive files within the web application's file structure. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data stored on the server. The ability to download arbitrary files from the image gallery system creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for further exploitation, including the potential to escalate privileges or gain deeper system access. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the web application's data storage mechanisms, representing a significant risk to organizations relying on legacy Truegalerie implementations. The attack can be executed without requiring authentication or prior access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security flaw and broader architectural issues within the web application. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all cookie parameters, particularly those related to file operations. Organizations should implement proper path validation that ensures file access operations remain within designated directories and reject any attempts to traverse parent directories using sequences like "../". Additionally, the application should employ proper access controls that verify user permissions before allowing file operations, and implement secure file handling practices that prevent arbitrary file access. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which covers data from information repositories, and represents a common pattern of insecure file handling that should be addressed through comprehensive security testing and code review processes. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in legacy applications, while implementing proper input validation frameworks and secure coding practices can prevent such issues from recurring in future development cycles.