CVE-2008-4129 in Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Gallery before 1.5.9, and 2.x before 2.2.6, does not properly handle ZIP archives containing symbolic links, which allows remote authenticated users to conduct directory traversal attacks and read arbitrary files via vectors related to the archive upload (aka zip upload) functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4129 affects Gallery content management systems version 1.5.8 and earlier, as well as version 2.2.5 and earlier, specifically within the zip upload functionality. This represents a critical directory traversal vulnerability that exploits improper handling of symbolic links within ZIP archive files. The flaw exists in the archive extraction process where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize symbolic link entries during decompression, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and access unauthorized system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the Gallery application's file extraction routines. When processing uploaded ZIP archives, the system does not properly check symbolic link targets or resolve path traversal sequences that may be embedded within the archive structure. This allows authenticated users to craft malicious ZIP files containing symbolic links that point to files outside the intended extraction directory. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a directory traversal attack, specifically manifesting as improper handling of symbolic links during archive extraction. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate upload functionality that authenticated users typically have access to, making it more difficult to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote authenticated attackers to read arbitrary files from the target system. An attacker with valid credentials can upload a specially crafted ZIP archive containing symbolic links that traverse the filesystem, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user information, or even system binaries. This capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if sensitive files are accessible. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where Gallery is used for media management, as it could allow attackers to access not only application files but also underlying system resources that should remain protected.
The attack scenario typically involves an authenticated user uploading a malicious ZIP file containing symbolic links that point to sensitive system locations. When the Gallery application processes this archive, it follows the symbolic links and extracts files to unintended locations, potentially overwriting critical system files or exposing confidential data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage their authenticated access to escalate privileges through file system traversal. Additionally, the vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers the exploitation of legitimate upload functionality for malicious purposes, demonstrating how trusted application features can be subverted for unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4129 should focus on immediate patching of affected Gallery versions to 1.5.9 or 2.2.6 respectively, as these releases contain proper validation of symbolic links within uploaded archives. Organizations should implement strict file type validation and sanitization for all uploaded content, particularly for archive files, ensuring that symbolic links are either stripped or properly resolved before extraction. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file upload patterns or attempts to access restricted file paths. Additionally, regular security audits of file handling processes and comprehensive input validation should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper archive handling and the need for robust security controls around file manipulation functions in web applications.