CVE-2008-6567 in Gallarific
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Gallarific Free Edition allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the e-mail address, (2) a comment, which is not properly handled during moderation, and (3) the tag parameter to gallery/tags.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2019
The CVE-2008-6567 vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in Gallarific Free Edition gallery software that exposes users to cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that collectively undermine the application's security posture. The flaw resides in the improper handling of user input across multiple parameters, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts and HTML content. The vulnerability's classification as a CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation leads to potential exploitation through various user interaction points within the gallery moderation system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to sanitize or validate user-supplied data before processing it for display. Attackers can exploit the email address field by submitting malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the moderated content. Similarly, the comment field presents another vector where unfiltered input can be stored and subsequently rendered without proper encoding, allowing persistent XSS attacks. The third vector involves the tag parameter in gallery/tags.php, where the application does not adequately validate or escape user-provided tag values before incorporating them into dynamic web pages. This creates an environment where attackers can execute malicious code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6567 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it fundamentally compromises the security of the entire gallery system. When attackers successfully exploit these vulnerabilities, they can manipulate the gallery's content to redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or even modify gallery settings. The moderation aspect of the vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to inject malicious content that appears legitimate to administrators, potentially bypassing security controls. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces. The vulnerability's presence in the moderation workflow creates a persistent threat where malicious actors can establish footholds within the system that remain undetected until the compromised content is viewed by legitimate users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6567 must address the core input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization using parameterized queries and proper HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied content. The application should employ strict validation rules that reject or sanitize potentially malicious input before it is processed or stored. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be implemented to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should focus on input handling routines to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include proper parameter validation in gallery/tags.php, input sanitization for email addresses and comments, and comprehensive testing to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before rendering in web pages. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.