CVE-2007-3229 in Image Gallery Web Application
Summary
by MITRE
index.php in Singapore Gallery allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request with a non-directory gallery parameter, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3229 resides within the index.php script of the Singapore Gallery web application, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes system paths through error messages. This issue manifests when remote attackers submit requests containing non-directory gallery parameters, causing the application to reveal sensitive filesystem paths in its error responses. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper error handling and information exposure, which are commonly categorized under CWE-209 and CWE-215 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. The flaw represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with detailed system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application level where the Singapore Gallery fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters before processing them. When a non-directory gallery parameter is submitted, the application does not adequately handle the invalid input, resulting in an error message that includes the absolute filesystem path where the application is installed. This path disclosure provides attackers with crucial information about the server environment, including directory structures and potentially sensitive deployment details that can aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication or special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can interact with the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more advanced attack vectors. Attackers can use the revealed paths to understand the application's deployment structure, potentially identifying other vulnerabilities through path-based reconnaissance. This information can be combined with other reconnaissance techniques to map the server environment and locate additional sensitive files or directories. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of information leakage and inadequate error handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as it provides attackers with information that can facilitate further system exploration and potential privilege escalation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3229 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the Singapore Gallery application. The most effective approach involves configuring the application to sanitize all user input parameters and implement generic error messages that do not disclose system paths or internal application details. Organizations should ensure that error handling routines are designed to prevent path disclosure by either logging detailed errors internally while displaying generic messages to end users, or by implementing comprehensive input validation that prevents invalid parameters from reaching error handling code. Additionally, the application should be updated to the latest version available from the vendor, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases through proper error handling implementations. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect and alert on unusual error message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.