CVE-2004-1870 in PhotoPost PHP Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PhotoPost PHP Pro 4.6.x and earlier allow remote attackers to gain users passwords via the (1) photo parameter to addfav.php, (2) photo parameter to comments.php, (3) credit parameter to comments.php, (4) cat parameter to index.php, (5) ppuser parameter to showgallery.php, (6) cat parameter to showgallery.php, (7) cat parameter to uploadphoto.php, (8) albumid parameter to useralbums.php, or (9) albumid parameter to useralbums.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1870 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting PhotoPost PHP Pro version 4.6.x and earlier installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within multiple script files, creating multiple entry points for malicious actors to exploit database access through crafted SQL commands. The affected parameters span across several core functionality scripts including addfav.php, comments.php, index.php, showgallery.php, uploadphoto.php, and useralbums.php, demonstrating a widespread issue in the application's database interaction layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic SQL injection pattern where user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker manipulates the photo, credit, cat, ppuser, or albumid parameters through HTTP requests, the application fails to validate or escape these inputs before incorporating them into database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, or execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple scripts within the application, providing numerous attack vectors for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can leverage these injection points to extract user credentials, including passwords, from the database through techniques such as union-based queries or blind SQL injection methods. The exposure of user authentication data compromises the entire user base and enables unauthorized access to accounts. Additionally, attackers may be able to modify or delete database records, potentially causing data corruption or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's widespread nature means that exploitation can occur through multiple pathways, increasing the likelihood of successful attack and reducing the effectiveness of simple perimeter defenses.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application. The recommended approach aligns with CWE-89 standards for SQL injection prevention, emphasizing the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries instead of dynamic SQL construction. All user inputs must be validated against expected formats and sanitized before database interaction. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage from successful exploitation. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious parameter patterns. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response capabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in web applications and the severe consequences of inadequate input validation. The widespread nature of the affected parameters indicates a systemic flaw in the application's architecture rather than isolated incidents, suggesting that similar vulnerabilities may exist in other components. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their legacy applications and prioritize immediate remediation through code updates or patches provided by the vendor. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of how SQL injection flaws can persist in applications for extended periods, emphasizing the need for regular security audits and vulnerability management processes.