CVE-2007-5777 in i-Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Blue-Collar Productions i-Gallery 3.4 stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to download a file containing a base64-encoded password via a direct request for igallery.mdb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5777 represents a critical security flaw in Blue-Collar Productions i-Gallery 3.4 software where sensitive database files are improperly stored within the web root directory. This configuration creates a fundamental access control failure that directly exposes confidential information to remote attackers without proper authentication mechanisms. The specific file igallery.mdb contains base64-encoded passwords that can be retrieved through simple direct HTTP requests, eliminating the need for complex exploitation techniques.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-275 permission model, specifically addressing inadequate access control measures that allow unauthorized data exposure. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of improper file permissions and directory structure configuration where database files containing authentication credentials are placed in publicly accessible web directories. The software's default installation configuration fails to implement proper access restrictions, allowing any remote user to obtain sensitive information through straightforward web requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with direct access to database contents that may contain user accounts, authentication details, and potentially other sensitive information stored within the i-Gallery application. This exposure creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the software is properly configured or updated. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform account takeover, escalate privileges, or use the stolen credentials for further attacks within the compromised environment.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 credential access, specifically targeting legitimate credentials stored in database files. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication since the attacker only needs to access the specific file path to retrieve the base64-encoded password. This vulnerability also maps to T1566 initial access through malicious file delivery or exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Organizations using this software face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, as the vulnerability exists at the application configuration level rather than requiring complex exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate directory reconfiguration to remove sensitive files from web-accessible locations, implementation of proper access controls through web server configuration, and application-level authentication checks. System administrators must ensure that database files containing sensitive information are stored outside of web root directories and that appropriate file permissions are enforced. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that no sensitive data remains accessible through direct web requests, and automated monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure configuration management and proper principle of least privilege implementation in web application deployments.