CVE-2004-1106 in Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Gallery 1.4.4-pl3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML via "specially formed URLs," possibly via the include parameter in index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1106 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw affecting Gallery 1.4.4-pl3 and earlier versions of the popular web-based photo gallery software. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within URL parameters, specifically the include parameter in the index.php file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious URLs containing script code within the include parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the vulnerable gallery page.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters that are directly processed by the Gallery application without adequate sanitization. When the include parameter receives malicious input, the application fails to properly encode or validate this data before rendering it within the web page context. This creates an environment where arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code can be injected and executed within the browser of unsuspecting victims. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS vulnerability depending on how the malicious input is processed and persisted within the application. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Gallery applications are often publicly accessible and may be used by multiple users, making the attack surface particularly broad.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the gallery interface to inject malicious scripts that can capture user credentials, steal session cookies, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the web application and can compromise user data privacy, particularly in environments where Gallery is used for sharing sensitive photographic content. Additionally, the attack can be leveraged to deface the gallery website or deploy malware through the compromised user browsers, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this software for content management and sharing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1106 should focus on immediate patching of the Gallery application to version 1.4.4-pl4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation and output encoding. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on URL parameters and form inputs. The application should employ context-specific output encoding mechanisms that ensure any user-provided content is properly escaped when rendered in HTML contexts. Security measures should also include implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities and monitoring web application logs for suspicious URL patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1531 for credential access, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures including regular security updates, input validation, and user education about the risks of clicking untrusted links. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date web applications and implementing robust security controls to prevent the execution of malicious code in web environments.