CVE-2008-0506 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
include/imageObjectIM.class.php in Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) before 1.4.15, when the ImageMagick picture processing method is configured, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) quality, (2) angle, or (3) clipval parameter to picEditor.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0506 affects the Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) software version 1.4.14 and earlier, specifically when the ImageMagick picture processing method is enabled. This represents a critical command injection flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability resides within the include/imageObjectIM.class.php file and manifests through the picEditor.php script which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate input validation or sanitization. The attack vector targets three specific parameters: quality, angle, and clipval, all of which are processed directly by ImageMagick's command-line interface, creating a direct pathway for malicious command execution.
The technical flaw stems from improper input handling within the image processing pipeline of Coppermine Gallery. When users upload or modify images through the web interface, the application passes user-controllable parameters to ImageMagick's convert command without proper sanitization. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The flaw exploits the trust placed in user input by the application's failure to validate or escape parameters before incorporating them into system commands, allowing attackers to inject shell metacharacters that get interpreted by the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected organizations. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects any system running Coppermine Gallery 1.4.14 or earlier with ImageMagick configured, making it particularly dangerous for web hosting environments or organizations using this photo gallery software. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify or delete files, and potentially escalate privileges to gain root access on the server. The impact extends beyond immediate exploitation as compromised systems may serve as launch points for further attacks within network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Coppermine Gallery version 1.4.15 or later, which includes patches addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network-based mitigations such as firewall rules that restrict access to the picEditor.php endpoint and disable ImageMagick processing if it is not essential for functionality. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation at multiple layers, using secure coding practices that prevent command injection, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), demonstrating how initial access through web application vulnerabilities can lead to broader system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.