CVE-2007-1469 in Absolute Image Gallery Xe
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in gallery.asp in Absolute Image Gallery 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the categoryid parameter in a viewimage action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1469 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Absolute Image Gallery 2.0 web application, specifically affecting the gallery.asp component. This weakness enables malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the categoryid parameter during image viewing operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized database access and potential system compromise. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The affected application processes user input directly without proper parameterization or filtering, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers who can craft malicious payloads to manipulate database operations.
This SQL injection vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The attack vector operates through the viewimage action where the categoryid parameter is processed without adequate security measures. When an attacker submits a specially crafted categoryid value containing SQL payload, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows the malicious SQL code to be executed with the privileges of the database user account under which the application operates, potentially enabling full database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized modifications to the gallery's content and structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform comprehensive database reconnaissance and manipulation. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to all images stored in the gallery, modification of image metadata, deletion of entire image categories, or even complete database corruption. Attackers might also leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the database environment, potentially gaining access to other applications or systems that share the same database infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1469 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective approach involves replacing direct string concatenation of user input with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization measures, including character encoding, length validation, and whitelist-based input filtering to ensure that only expected data formats are accepted. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version of Absolute Image Gallery that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version likely lacks proper security controls. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, following the principle of defense in depth to protect against various attack vectors.