CVE-2007-1107 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in thumbnails.php in Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) 1.3.x allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a cpg131_fav cookie. NOTE: it was later reported that 1.4.10, 1.4.14, and other 1.4.x versions are also affected using similar cookies.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1107 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) platform that affects multiple versions including 1.3.x series and various 1.4.x releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the thumbnails.php script which serves as a core component for displaying thumbnail images in the gallery system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input from the cpg131_fav cookie parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database layer. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to access the gallery system, but once authenticated, they can leverage this flaw to execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the cpg131_fav cookie value which is processed by the thumbnails.php script without adequate input validation or parameter sanitization. When the application processes this cookie value, it directly incorporates it into sql queries without proper escaping or preparation techniques, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql payloads. This creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate the underlying database through the gallery interface, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive information, modify user accounts, or even execute destructive operations on the database. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses, and represents a classic example of insecure input handling in web applications where user-supplied data is directly embedded into sql statements without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as authenticated users with malicious intent can leverage the sql injection to gain elevated privileges within the application. Attackers could potentially escalate their access to perform operations such as creating new administrator accounts, modifying existing user permissions, or extracting confidential database information including user credentials and personal data stored within the gallery system. The vulnerability affects not just the thumbnail display functionality but potentially the entire gallery database integrity, as any sql command injection can compromise the underlying data storage. The fact that multiple versions including 1.4.10 and 1.4.14 are affected demonstrates the persistence of this flaw in the codebase, indicating that proper input validation mechanisms were either missing or inadequately implemented throughout the application's development lifecycle. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities through sql injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameter sanitization throughout the Coppermine Photo Gallery system. The most effective approach involves implementing proper sql prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql commands from user data, ensuring that any malicious input is treated as literal data rather than executable code. Additionally, developers should implement strict input validation for all cookie parameters, particularly those used for user preferences and session management. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions that have addressed this vulnerability, and administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other application components, while proper access controls and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.