CVE-2005-1948 in Invision Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Invision Gallery before 1.3.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the comment parameter in an editcomment action or (2) the rating parameter when voting on a photo.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1948 represents a critical security flaw in the Invision Gallery web application software that existed prior to version 1.3.1. This issue falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, which constitute one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through specific input parameters, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors within the Invision Gallery application. The first vector involves the comment parameter during an editcomment action, while the second involves the rating parameter used during photo voting operations. Both attack paths demonstrate the classic characteristics of SQL injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows malicious actors to inject specially crafted SQL code that can alter the intended behavior of database operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe risks for organizations using Invision Gallery applications. Attackers can exploit these flaws to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining read access to sensitive user information, modifying database contents, or even escalating privileges within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit these vulnerabilities, making them particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
The impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple data theft, as they can enable complete system compromise through database manipulation. Security researchers have classified such issues under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities in software applications. The attack patterns align with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for exploitation of remote services, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations running affected versions of Invision Gallery face significant exposure to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and potential complete system takeover.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to Invision Gallery version 1.3.1 or later, which contains patches addressing these specific SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the application code would provide defense-in-depth measures against similar issues. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that web application accounts have minimal necessary privileges, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential injection points within the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting these known vulnerabilities.