CVE-2007-4847 in Picasa
Summary
by MITRE
Google Picasa allows remote attackers to read image files stored by Picasa via unspecified vectors involving a picasa:// URI. NOTE: this information is based upon a vague pre-advisory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4847 represents a significant security flaw in Google Picasa's handling of picasa:// URI schemes that enables remote attackers to access image files stored locally on a victim's system. This issue falls under the category of improper access control and information disclosure vulnerabilities, specifically concerning how the application processes URI handlers that can be invoked through web browsers or other applications. The vulnerability stems from the lack of proper input validation and access controls within Picasa's URI processing mechanism, creating a pathway for unauthorized data retrieval.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of picasa:// URI schemes that are registered with the operating system and can be invoked by web browsers or other applications. When a malicious web page or application triggers a picasa:// URI, it can potentially access files stored within Picasa's local database or image storage areas without proper authentication or authorization. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and improper access control implementation, where the URI handler does not properly validate the source or scope of the request before granting access to local resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system integration level where web-based attacks can leverage local application protocols to bypass traditional network security controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to potentially access sensitive personal image files stored in Picasa's database, which could include photographs containing personal information, private moments, or other confidential data. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be initiated through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult for users to detect or prevent. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which remote attackers can extract data from a user's local system without requiring direct system compromise or malicious software installation. This represents a significant privacy breach and could lead to identity theft, social engineering attacks, or other malicious activities based on the retrieved image data.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for URI scheme manipulation and T1074 for data staging. The vulnerability demonstrates how application-specific URI handlers can become attack surfaces when proper access controls are not implemented. Organizations and individuals using Picasa or similar applications should consider this as a critical security concern, particularly in environments where sensitive data is stored locally. The recommended mitigations include disabling or removing the picasa:// URI handler registration, updating to patched versions of Picasa, implementing network-level controls to prevent access to local URI handlers, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites that might exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unauthorized access attempts and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent exploitation of such URI-based attack vectors.