CVE-2006-2295 in Dynamic Galerie
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Dynamic Galerie 1.0 allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via an absolute path in the pfad parameter to (1) index.php and (2) galerie.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2295 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Dynamic Galerie 1.0, a web-based image gallery system that was widely deployed in early 2000s web environments. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically the pfad parameter which is processed in two primary script files: index.php and galerie.php. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path access, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's file access behavior. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's file system, potentially exposing sensitive data, configuration files, or even system-level information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic path traversal pattern where the pfad parameter accepts absolute file paths instead of relative paths or predefined directories. When the application processes this parameter without proper validation, it directly incorporates user input into file system operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector is particularly effective in web applications where file operations are performed using user-controllable parameters, allowing adversaries to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access potentially sensitive system files that could contain database credentials, application configuration details, or other confidential information. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness from any location with network access to the vulnerable web server, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible applications. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the application by allowing unauthorized access to the underlying file system, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges or gain deeper system access. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, and could be leveraged as part of broader reconnaissance or lateral movement activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2295 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures to prevent absolute path injection into file operations. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or filters out absolute paths, ensuring that all file access operations use relative paths within predetermined directories. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation, ensuring that web applications operate with minimal necessary permissions. Additionally, the application should employ proper output encoding and validation techniques to prevent malicious input from being processed as part of file system operations. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Dynamic Galerie or implementing a web application firewall rule that blocks requests containing absolute path traversal sequences. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components, particularly those handling file system operations.