CVE-2005-2737 in PHP Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PhotoPost PHP Pro 5.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via EXIF data, such as the Camera Model Tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2737 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within PhotoPost PHP Pro version 5.1 that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through manipulated EXIF data. This security weakness specifically targets the handling of camera model tags and other EXIF metadata within the photo posting application. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter potentially malicious content embedded within image metadata. When users view photos containing compromised EXIF data, the malicious script code executes in their browsers, creating a persistent security risk for all affected users.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector leverages the EXIF data processing functionality where the application does not adequately sanitize or escape metadata fields before displaying them to end users. The Camera Model Tag field serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can exploit the application's failure to implement proper security controls for metadata handling. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient output escaping where user-supplied data from external sources is directly rendered without proper security validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When attackers successfully inject malicious code through EXIF data, they can exploit the trust relationship between the victim's browser and the PhotoPost application to execute unauthorized actions. The vulnerability affects all users who view photos containing compromised metadata, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently upload and view images from various sources. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, as the malicious code can be embedded within standard image files and delivered through normal user interaction with the photo gallery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output sanitization controls specifically for EXIF data processing. The most effective approach involves implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all metadata fields before rendering them in web pages, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability represents a known flaw that has been addressed in subsequent versions of the PhotoPost PHP Pro application. The remediation process must include thorough testing of EXIF data handling functionality to ensure that all metadata fields are properly sanitized before display, aligning with industry best practices for web application security and the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for XSS vulnerabilities.