CVE-2005-4251 in mcGallery PRO
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in mcGallery PRO 2.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id, (2) start, and (3) rand parameters to show.php, and the (4) album parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4251 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting mcGallery PRO version 2.2 and earlier installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web application's database interaction mechanisms. The flaw specifically impacts two primary files within the application's codebase: show.php and index.php, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper escaping or parameterization. The affected parameters include id, start, rand, and album, all of which can be manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code into the database layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are processed by the vulnerable application. When an attacker submits crafted input through any of the four identified parameters, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into database queries. This creates an environment where malicious SQL commands can be executed with the privileges of the database user account under which the web application operates. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL injection, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited by any internet user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. Successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify or delete data, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The affected mcGallery PRO application, being a web-based photo gallery system, could see its entire media collection and associated metadata compromised. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points or use the compromised database as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, where adversaries can execute arbitrary commands and potentially gain higher-level system access through database compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective approach involves replacing direct parameter concatenation in SQL queries with proper prepared statements or parameterized query interfaces that separate SQL command structure from data values. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks. Additionally, the application should be upgraded to a patched version of mcGallery PRO that addresses these vulnerabilities, as the original version has been superseded by security updates. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced in database access configurations to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.