CVE-2005-4023 in Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the zipcart module in Gallery 2.0 before 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4023 affects the zipcart module within Gallery 2.0 versions prior to 2.0.2, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities, which are commonly classified as CWE-22 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the zipcart module, which processes file operations without proper authorization checks. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways could potentially be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals who must consider all possible attack surfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate file access parameters through the zipcart module, bypassing normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized file retrieval. This type of vulnerability typically arises when applications fail to properly validate user input before using it to access system resources, creating opportunities for path traversal attacks and arbitrary file inclusion exploits. The affected Gallery 2.0 system likely processes file requests without sufficient sanitization of file paths or user-supplied parameters, enabling attackers to construct malicious requests that target sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to data confidentiality and system integrity, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file reading, as it could potentially enable attackers to access system configuration files, user credentials, or other sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation. Organizations running affected Gallery installations should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that attackers could potentially leverage multiple approaches to achieve successful exploitation. The remediation strategy should include not only applying the official patch for Gallery 2.0.2 but also implementing proper input validation, access control mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader system infrastructure.