CVE-2007-2146 in MiniGal
Summary
by MITRE
The imagecomments function in classes.php in MiniGal b13 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into a file in the thumbs/ directory via the (1) name or (2) email parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2146 resides within the MiniGal b13 web application's imagecomments function located in the classes.php file. This flaw represents a classic arbitrary code execution vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious PHP code into the system. The vulnerability specifically affects the thumbs/ directory where thumbnail images are stored, making it a critical security concern for any web application utilizing this image gallery system. The attack vector exploits two distinct input parameters namely the name and email fields within the imagecomments functionality, both of which are susceptible to code injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the MiniGal application's comment handling mechanism. When users submit comments through the imagecomments function, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the name and email parameters before incorporating them into file operations within the thumbs/ directory. This lack of proper input sanitization creates a path for malicious actors to inject PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe risks to web applications using MiniGal b13. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious PHP scripts, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify or delete existing files, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the system. The exposure of the thumbs/ directory as a target for code injection means that any user who can submit comments through the vulnerable application interface can potentially compromise the entire web server. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-94, which describes the weakness of allowing execution of arbitrary code, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent untrusted input from being directly processed as executable code. The attack can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Server Software Component" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" within the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2146 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures that filter all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for parameters that are later used in file operations or code execution contexts. The recommended approach includes employing whitelisting techniques for all input parameters, implementing proper escaping mechanisms for special characters, and ensuring that user-generated content cannot be interpreted as executable code. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version of MiniGal that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original b13 version is known to contain multiple security flaws. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls on the thumbs/ directory to limit write access to only authorized processes, while monitoring for suspicious file modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when proper sanitization measures are omitted from security-conscious development practices.