CVE-2006-1667 in Crafty Syntax Image Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in slides.php in Eric Gerdes Crafty Syntax Image Gallery (CSIG) (aka PHP thumbnail Photo Gallery) 3.1g and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the limitquery_s parameter when the $projectid variable is less than 1, which prevents the $limitquery_s from being set within slides.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1667 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Eric Gerdes Crafty Syntax Image Gallery application, specifically affecting versions 3.1g and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the slides.php component of the PHP thumbnail photo gallery system, which is widely used for managing and displaying image collections on web platforms. The flaw manifests when an authenticated user manipulates the limitquery_s parameter while the projectid variable remains less than one, creating a condition where the limitquery_s variable fails to be properly initialized within the slides.php script. This misconfiguration creates an exploitable pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands into the application's database layer.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the application's codebase. When the projectid variable is less than one, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the limitquery_s parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This failure directly violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and parameterized queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the database execution flow through carefully crafted input. The vulnerability operates under CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, though the impact remains significant as it allows for full database manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using the affected image gallery software. Remote authenticated users can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the gallery's database. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify or delete database records, and potentially gain deeper access to the underlying system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability could be used to establish persistent backdoors or to manipulate the gallery's functionality to serve malicious content. Organizations relying on this software for image management and display could face reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized data access or modification.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate application of vendor patches or updates to versions that address the SQL injection flaw. System administrators should ensure that all instances of the Crafty Syntax Image Gallery are upgraded to versions 3.2 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization measures within the application code is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper access controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and properly handling database interactions in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks and emphasizing the need for secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.