CVE-2007-2715 in Snaps Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Admin/users.php in Snaps! Gallery 1.4.4 allows remote attackers to change arbitrary usernames and passwords via the (1) username, or the (2) password and password2 parameters in an edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2715 affects Snaps! Gallery version 1.4.4 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that allows remote attackers to manipulate user account credentials without proper authorization. This issue resides within the admin/users.php component of the gallery system, specifically targeting the user management functionality where administrators can edit user accounts. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the parameter handling mechanism, creating a path for unauthorized privilege escalation and account takeover.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper authentication checks and parameter sanitization in the edit action functionality. Attackers can manipulate two distinct parameter sets to achieve their objectives: either by submitting a modified username parameter or by simultaneously providing both password and password2 parameters during the edit operation. This flaw essentially allows an attacker to modify any existing user account's credentials, potentially enabling them to gain administrative access to the gallery system or compromise user accounts for malicious activities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2715 extends beyond simple credential manipulation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the user authentication system. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized data access, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the gallery system operates. Attackers could create new administrative accounts, modify existing user permissions, or lock out legitimate users through password reset manipulation. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software applications. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 credential access, as it enables adversaries to obtain valid credentials through manipulation of authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation, authentication checks, and parameter sanitization within the affected application component. System administrators should implement mandatory access controls that verify user permissions before allowing any modification operations, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the user management interface. Additionally, the application should enforce strict parameter validation that rejects any malformed or unauthorized parameter combinations, particularly those that could alter user credentials without proper authorization. The fix should include implementing cryptographic checks such as HMAC signatures or session tokens to validate that edit operations originate from legitimate administrative sessions. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of similar components within their applications to identify and remediate comparable access control weaknesses, as this vulnerability demonstrates a pattern of insufficient privilege validation in web-based management interfaces. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments remain essential to prevent exploitation of such flaws in legacy systems.