CVE-2007-4976 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in viewlog.php in Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) 1.4.12 and earlier allows remote authenticated administrators to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the log parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4976 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) platform, specifically affecting versions 1.4.12 and earlier. This issue resides in the viewlog.php component of the application, which processes log file requests for administrative users. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the log parameter, allowing authenticated administrators with sufficient privileges to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator accesses the viewlog.php script with a maliciously crafted log parameter containing .. (dot dot) sequences. These sequences enable the attacker to navigate upward through the directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the administrative privileges of a legitimate user, making detection more challenging while providing elevated access to the underlying file system. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. By carefully selecting target files, an attacker might be able to include system configuration files, database credentials, or even PHP scripts that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire application environment, as it provides access to sensitive information that should remain protected within the application's restricted directory structure. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripts for execution, and T1566.001, involving the exploitation of remote services through credential compromise.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires authentication as an administrator, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to vulnerabilities affecting unauthenticated users. However, this does not diminish its severity since administrators typically possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive data within the application. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper file access controls and path validation mechanisms. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Coppermine Photo Gallery should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest stable version, implementing proper input sanitization, and restricting administrative access to trusted users only. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy applications, particularly those that handle user-supplied input in file operations.