CVE-2008-1296 in EncapsGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in EncapsGallery 1.11.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the file parameter to (1) watermark.php and (2) catalog_watermark.php in core/. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1296 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting EncapsGallery version 1.11.2, specifically targeting two key files within the application's core directory structure. This vulnerability falls under the category of persistent XSS attacks, where malicious scripts can be injected into the application's response and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The affected files watermark.php and catalog_watermark.php serve as entry points for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through the file parameter, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution within victim browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the gallery application's core functionality. When the application processes the file parameter without proper sanitization, it fails to escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code by web browsers. This creates an environment where attackers can embed malicious payloads directly into the application's response, which are then executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the watermarking functionality, suggesting that the application's handling of file parameters during image processing or catalog management operations lacks proper security controls. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing with Spoofed Credentials, as attackers can craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any organization using EncapsGallery 1.11.2, as it provides remote attackers with a means to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Users who view infected pages may unknowingly execute malicious scripts that can capture keystrokes, steal session cookies, or redirect them to malicious websites. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that the injected scripts are stored within the application's response, meaning that any user who accesses the affected pages will be subject to the malicious code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, or establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The lack of proper context-specific output encoding in the watermarking functions creates a direct pathway for attackers to exploit the application's trust relationship with its users, potentially leading to broader system compromise if the gallery application has access to sensitive user data or system resources. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader web application security practices and implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues across their entire application portfolio.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the affected application files. Security patches should ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly the file parameter, undergoes strict validation and sanitization before being processed or returned in web responses. The application should implement context-appropriate output encoding, particularly for HTML and JavaScript contexts, to prevent malicious payloads from being executed. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all input handling mechanisms within the application, implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include content security policies and regular security testing. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and establish secure coding practices that prevent such issues from occurring in future development cycles.