CVE-2008-6802 in phPhotoGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in phPhotoGallery 0.92 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) Username and (2) Password fields. 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 • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6802 represents a critical security flaw in phPhotoGallery version 0.92, specifically affecting the index.php script through multiple SQL injection vectors. This vulnerability resides in the authentication handling mechanism where user credentials are processed without proper input sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability affects both the Username and Password fields, indicating a systemic issue in how the application processes user authentication data rather than isolated parameter handling.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. When attackers submit malicious input through the Username or Password fields, the application directly concatenates these values into SQL statements without appropriate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can alter the intended query execution flow, potentially enabling unauthorized database access, data extraction, or even database modification operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software applications that fail to properly sanitize user input before executing database queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected database. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive user information, including hashed passwords, user account details, and other database content. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. This type of vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access administrative functions, or even gain complete control over the database backend that supports the photo gallery application.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insufficient input validation and improper SQL query construction practices. The attack vector operates through standard web application exploitation techniques where malicious input is crafted to manipulate the database query execution path. This vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting web applications, potentially serving as an initial compromise point that could lead to further system infiltration. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation, parameterized queries, and proper authentication mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in their applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the phPhotoGallery application to version 0.93 or later, which presumably contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, such as using prepared statements or parameterized queries, would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation and database query construction practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future applications.