CVE-2005-3986 in Instant Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Instant Photo Gallery 1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) cat_id parameter in portfolio.php and (2) cid parameter in content.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3986 represents a critical security flaw in the Instant Photo Gallery 1 software, which was widely distributed and used for managing digital photo collections. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's web interface, specifically affecting two distinct file components that handle user-supplied data. The vulnerability impacts versions 1 and earlier of the Instant Photo Gallery software, making it particularly concerning given the prevalence of older software versions in production environments. The affected parameters cat_id in portfolio.php and cid in content.php demonstrate a classic pattern of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities that have persisted across numerous web applications throughout the years.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When attackers submit malicious input through the cat_id parameter in portfolio.php or the cid parameter in content.php, the application fails to validate or escape the input before using it in database operations. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and more broadly to CWE-20 which covers improper input validation. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring any special privileges or local access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by remote attackers from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities. Successful exploitation could result in complete data exfiltration, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation, and potentially full system compromise if the database server has elevated privileges. The consequences for users of Instant Photo Gallery 1 could include exposure of personal photo collections, loss of business data, and potential compliance violations if the system contains sensitive information. Organizations relying on this software would face significant security risks, particularly if the application was used to store user credentials, personal information, or business-critical data. The vulnerability also demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture that could be exploited as a stepping stone for further attacks within a network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates or patches provided by the vendor, though given the age of this vulnerability, such updates may no longer be available. The primary technical defense involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for SQL injection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while conducting thorough security assessments of all applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and least-privilege database access controls can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of why continuous security testing and proper input validation are essential components of secure software development practices, particularly emphasizing the importance of following secure coding guidelines that prevent injection flaws at the design and implementation phases.