CVE-2007-4977 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mode.php in Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) 1.4.12 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the referer parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The CVE-2007-4977 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Coppermine Photo Gallery application, specifically targeting version 1.4.12 and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the mode.php script and exploits the improper handling of the referer parameter, which is commonly used by web applications to track user navigation history. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk for users interacting with the gallery. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization practices that are essential for preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input from the referer HTTP header before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. When the mode.php script processes the referer parameter without adequate validation measures, it creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be executed as part of the web page's HTML structure. This occurs because the application directly includes the referer value in the page output without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms that would prevent script execution. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS variant where the malicious payload is delivered through the referer header rather than traditional form inputs or URL parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4977 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This creates a significant risk for users who may be logged into the gallery with administrative privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges or access sensitive functionality. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, malicious websites, or compromised third-party domains that redirect users to the vulnerable gallery with crafted referer headers. When successfully exploited, the malicious scripts can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim within the gallery's security context. This represents a serious threat to user privacy and application integrity, particularly in environments where the gallery serves as a repository for sensitive or personal media content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4977 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly HTTP headers like referer, before incorporating them into web page responses. This includes implementing proper HTML entity encoding for any data that will be displayed in the browser context. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution permissions and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the recommended approach includes upgrading to a supported version of Coppermine Photo Gallery that contains patches addressing this vulnerability, as version 1.4.12 and earlier releases are no longer maintained and may contain additional unpatched security flaws. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those related to input validation and output encoding, to prevent similar issues from occurring in web applications.