CVE-2007-2642 in R2K Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in galeria.php in R2K Gallery 1.7 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the lang2 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2024
The CVE-2007-2642 vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw in the R2K Gallery 1.7 web application, specifically within the galeria.php script. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them in file system operations. The flaw manifests when the lang2 parameter receives a .. (dot dot) sequence, which allows attackers to manipulate the file path resolution logic and access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution capabilities through arbitrary file reading, potentially exposing sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information stored on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences in the lang2 parameter of the galeria.php script. When the application processes this input without proper validation, it interprets the .. sequences as legitimate path navigation commands, allowing access to files in parent directories. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of input sanitization and output encoding practices that are essential for secure web application development. The vulnerability is classified as a remote attack vector since no local access or authentication is required to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The impact is amplified by the fact that attackers can potentially access not only application files but also system configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information that may be stored in accessible locations on the server filesystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2642 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe attacks within the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to critical system files that may contain database connection strings, application configuration settings, or even source code that could reveal additional vulnerabilities. This information disclosure can facilitate further exploitation attempts, including privilege escalation or the discovery of other vulnerable components within the same system. The vulnerability also poses risks to business continuity and regulatory compliance, as unauthorized access to sensitive data may violate data protection regulations such as gdpr or pci dss requirements. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the initial access and privilege escalation phases, where attackers may use path traversal to gather intelligence and establish persistent access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2642 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious path traversal sequences from being processed. The most effective approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts pre-defined, safe language parameters rather than accepting arbitrary input. Additionally, developers should employ proper path resolution techniques that prevent directory traversal by normalizing file paths and ensuring that all user-supplied paths are properly validated against a known safe directory structure. The application should implement proper access controls that limit file system access to only necessary directories and files. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns in incoming requests. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security issues within the application's architecture. Organizations should also ensure that the affected R2K Gallery 1.7 version is either patched or upgraded to a secure version that addresses this specific directory traversal vulnerability.