CVE-2005-3979 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
relocate_server.php in Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) 1.4.2 and 1.4 beta does not remove is not removed after installation and does not use authentication, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, such as database configuration, via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3979 affects Coppermine Photo Gallery versions 1.4.2 and 1.4 beta, specifically targeting the relocate_server.php file that remains accessible after installation. This represents a critical security flaw that violates fundamental principles of secure software development and configuration management. The persistence of this administrative utility file in the production environment creates an attack surface that directly enables unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The flaw stems from inadequate post-installation cleanup procedures where temporary or administrative files are not properly removed from the web root directory, creating a permanent entry point for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in access control mechanisms within the Coppermine Photo Gallery framework. The relocate_server.php file lacks proper authentication checks, meaning any remote attacker can access this utility without requiring valid credentials or administrative privileges. This absence of authentication directly violates security principle of least privilege and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability. The file's design allows for direct requests to retrieve database configuration details and other sensitive information that should only be accessible to authorized administrators. This exposure occurs because the application fails to implement proper authorization controls that would verify user credentials before granting access to privileged functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system configuration data that can be leveraged for further exploitation. Database connection parameters, username and password combinations, and other sensitive configuration information can be extracted through simple HTTP requests, eliminating the need for complex attack vectors or exploitation techniques. This vulnerability enables attackers to gain foundational knowledge about the target system architecture, potentially facilitating subsequent attacks such as database compromise, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the network. The impact is particularly severe because it affects the core database configuration details that are essential for any further compromise attempts.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a clear violation of the principle of secure configuration and proper file management practices. The flaw directly corresponds to CWE-778, which addresses insufficient logging of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, demonstrating how insecure file handling can lead to unauthorized data access. Mitigation strategies must include immediate removal of the relocate_server.php file from production environments, implementation of proper authentication mechanisms for all administrative utilities, and regular security audits to ensure no unauthorized files persist in web directories. Organizations should also implement automated scanning tools to detect such misconfigurations and establish robust deployment procedures that ensure proper cleanup of temporary installation files. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and proper post-installation security hardening procedures to prevent such persistent attack vectors from being exposed in production environments.