CVE-2005-4228 in PhpWebGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PhpWebGallery 1.5.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) since, (2) sort_by, and (3) items_number parameters to comments.php, (4) the search parameter to category.php, and (5) image_id parameter to picture.php. NOTE: it was later reported that the comments.php/sort_by vector also affects 1.7.2 and earlier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4228 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting PhpWebGallery versions 1.5.1 and earlier, with subsequent confirmation that the comments.php sort_by parameter also impacts version 1.7.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the web application's database interaction mechanisms, where user-supplied input is inadequately sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. The affected parameters span across multiple script files including comments.php, category.php, and picture.php, creating multiple attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications where untrusted data is directly concatenated into SQL command strings without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input through the specified parameters, allowing them to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context. When the since, sort_by, and items_number parameters in comments.php receive crafted input, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. Similarly, the search parameter in category.php and image_id parameter in picture.php present identical weaknesses where user input directly influences database operations. The attack vector leverages the fundamental lack of input sanitization and proper parameter binding mechanisms, enabling attackers to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the database server itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage these vectors to gain unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that was not adequately addressed through patching or code review processes. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web gallery applications where users may upload personal photographs and associated metadata, potentially exposing private information to unauthorized parties. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities affect multiple endpoints within the application, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation and providing attackers with multiple pathways to achieve their objectives.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands. The application should enforce strict input sanitization mechanisms that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user permissions can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security practitioners should follow ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and control, credential access, and privilege escalation to understand potential attack paths. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.