CVE-2006-7103 in EZOnlineGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in EZOnlineGallery 1.3 and earlier, and possibly other versions before 1.3.2 Beta, allow remote attackers to (1) determine directory existence via a ".." in the album parameter in a show_album action to (a) ezgallery.php, which produces different responses depending on existence; and read arbitrary image files via a ".." in the album or (2) image parameter to (b) image.php.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2018
The CVE-2006-7103 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting EZOnlineGallery version 1.3 and earlier, with potential impacts extending to versions prior to 1.3.2 Beta. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the gallery application's handling of user-supplied parameters, creating pathways for unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw manifests in two primary attack vectors that exploit the application's failure to properly sanitize directory references in its core functionality.
The technical exploitation occurs through manipulation of the album parameter within the show_album action of ezgallery.php, where attackers can inject directory traversal sequences using double dots "..". This injection causes the application to respond differently based on whether targeted directories exist, thereby enabling attackers to enumerate the directory structure and identify valid paths within the file system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the file system access controls implemented by the gallery software. When combined with manipulation of the image parameter in image.php, attackers can escalate their privileges to read arbitrary image files from the server's file system, bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining access to sensitive data.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw enables attackers to move outside the intended directory structure and access files they should not be permitted to read, representing a fundamental breakdown in the application's security model. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to traverse directories and read arbitrary files can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the gallery application has access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as unauthorized access to files could expose user data, configuration files, or even system credentials.
From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to information gathering and file access without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The attack can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous as it allows threat actors to probe the system's file structure and potentially identify sensitive files or system configurations. The impact on system security is significant, as directory traversal vulnerabilities often serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of EZOnlineGallery should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and access control restrictions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing and input validation in web applications, as these flaws can be easily exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. Implementation of proper access controls and restriction of file system access to legitimate application needs would significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities.