CVE-2006-5188 in GOOP Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in download.php in webGENEius GOOP Gallery 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to read or list data from certain files or directories via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The directory traversal vulnerability identified in CVE-2006-5188 affects webGENEius GOOP Gallery version 2.0.2, specifically within the download.php component of this web-based gallery application. This vulnerability represents a classic path traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access files and directories beyond the intended scope of the application. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the download.php script, which fails to properly filter or validate user-supplied parameters that control file access operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file path references through unspecified vectors within the download.php script. This typically occurs when user input is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw enables adversaries to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration data, database credentials, application source code, or other restricted resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that manipulate parameters controlling file retrieval operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed remotely without authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to enumerate directory structures, access sensitive configuration files that may contain database connection strings or administrative credentials, and potentially execute arbitrary code if the application processes files in a manner that allows code execution. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as unauthorized parties can gain access to sensitive data and potentially modify application behavior. This represents a critical security weakness that violates fundamental principles of access control and input validation, aligning with CWE-22 which specifically addresses path traversal vulnerabilities in software systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures within the download.php script and similar file handling components. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by the vendor to address this specific vulnerability, as the affected version 2.0.2 likely contains multiple security weaknesses beyond this single issue. The implementation of proper access controls, including the use of allowlists for file access operations, and the removal of unnecessary file handling capabilities should be prioritized. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in application security design. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as these issues commonly occur in web applications that handle file operations without proper input validation mechanisms.