CVE-2004-1407 in Image Gallery Web Application
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in singapore Image Gallery Web Application 0.9.10 allow remote attackers to (1) read arbitrary files via the showThumb method for thumb.php, or (2) delete arbitrary files via admin.class.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The CVE-2004-1407 vulnerability affects the singapore Image Gallery Web Application version 0.9.10 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that exposes the application to remote code execution and data compromise. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web application's file handling mechanisms, specifically in the thumb.php and admin.class.php scripts. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters and access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same underlying weakness in input sanitization. The first vector targets the showThumb method in thumb.php, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file system operations without proper validation or sanitization. This enables attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures using sequences like "../" to access files outside the web root directory. The second vector operates through admin.class.php where similar path manipulation techniques can be employed to delete arbitrary files from the server filesystem. Both attack methods leverage the fundamental weakness of insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1407 extends beyond simple file access, creating potential for complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other critical system files that may contain authentication tokens, user data, or system information. The deletion capability presents additional risk as it allows for destructive operations including removal of critical application files, system binaries, or user data, potentially leading to service disruption or complete application failure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-77 Path Traversal, both of which are classified as high-risk weaknesses in software security. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability map to ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as attackers may leverage compromised systems to gain persistent access and execute commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1407 require immediate implementation of input validation and access control measures. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation for all file path inputs, particularly those used in file operations, and employ whitelisting approaches where possible. The application should enforce proper access controls and validate all user-supplied inputs against a known set of safe characters and patterns. Additionally, implementing proper file access controls and ensuring that the web application runs with minimal required privileges can significantly reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security patches or upgrades to newer versions of the singapore Image Gallery application should be prioritized, as this vulnerability represents an outdated software component that likely contains additional unpatched security flaws. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to identify and eliminate all similar directory traversal vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, particularly focusing on file handling functions that directly interact with the filesystem.