CVE-2008-4130 in Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Gallery 2.x before 2.2.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted Flash animation, related to the ability of the animation to "interact with the embedding page."
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2019
The CVE-2008-4130 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Gallery 2.x versions prior to 2.2.6 that specifically exploits the interaction capabilities between Flash animations and embedded web pages. This vulnerability arises from the gallery's improper handling of Flash content that can establish communication with the hosting page through the Flash Player's ExternalInterface API, which allows Flash objects to execute JavaScript code within the context of the embedding page. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious Flash animations that can inject arbitrary web script or HTML code, creating a persistent XSS vector that can affect all users viewing the compromised gallery content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Gallery software processes Flash files that contain malicious code designed to interact with the embedding page through the Flash Player's scripting interface. When a user views a gallery page containing the malicious Flash animation, the Flash object can execute JavaScript commands that are interpreted by the browser as part of the legitimate page content. This interaction mechanism bypasses standard input validation controls because the vulnerability exists in the Flash processing layer rather than in traditional HTML form inputs. The attack vector specifically targets the Flash Player's ability to communicate with the embedding page, leveraging the Flash ExternalInterface functionality to execute malicious scripts within the context of the gallery's domain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. Since the vulnerability affects the core gallery functionality that processes and displays Flash content, any user who views compromised gallery pages becomes a potential victim. The persistence of the attack means that once a malicious Flash animation is uploaded to the gallery, it can affect all subsequent visitors until the vulnerability is patched or the malicious content is removed. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where gallery administrators may not immediately notice or remove malicious content, creating a prolonged window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the system.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching to Gallery 2.2.6 or later versions, implementing strict content validation for uploaded Flash files, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious Flash content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for malicious file execution through web applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies that restrict Flash execution and disable unnecessary scripting interfaces within embedded content to reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits of media processing components and user-uploaded content should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.