CVE-2008-7038 in My Egallery
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the My_eGallery module for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the gid parameter in a showgall action to modules.php. NOTE: this issue was disclosed by an unreliable researcher, so the details might be incorrect.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7038 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the My_eGallery module of PHP-Nuke content management systems. This security weakness specifically manifests in the handling of user input through the gid parameter during showgall actions processed by modules.php. The vulnerability's classification as a SQL injection (CWE-89) indicates that malicious actors can manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through improperly validated input fields. The issue resides in the module's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into database execution statements, creating an avenue for unauthorized database access and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. This capability allows threat actors to perform unauthorized data manipulation, including data retrieval, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication credentials to leverage the flaw. The specific parameter affected is the gid parameter within the showgall action, which suggests that gallery identification numbers passed through this parameter are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate input validation or sanitization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
Security implications of this vulnerability include potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and possible complete system compromise if attackers can escalate privileges through database access. The fact that this vulnerability was disclosed by an unreliable researcher raises questions about the accuracy of the initial reporting, but the fundamental nature of SQL injection vulnerabilities remains consistent regardless of disclosure source. Organizations running PHP-Nuke systems with the My_eGallery module are at risk of unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards and should be addressed through comprehensive security remediation measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7038 should include immediate patching of the My_eGallery module to implement proper parameter validation and input sanitization. Organizations must implement proper SQL query parameterization techniques to ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected module and ensure complete remediation across all systems. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles, aligning with industry best practices for secure software development lifecycle management.