CVE-2008-7175 in NextGEN Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wp-admin/admin.php in NextGEN Gallery 0.96 and earlier plugin for Wordpress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the picture description field in a page edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2017
The CVE-2008-7175 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the NextGEN Gallery WordPress plugin version 0.96 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the wp-admin/admin.php file and exploits a weakness in input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data. The flaw exists in the picture description field functionality during page edit operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input sanitization practices that allow attackers to bypass security controls designed to prevent malicious code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements within the picture description field. When this malformed data is processed by the vulnerable plugin and subsequently rendered in the administrative interface, the malicious code executes in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat vector where authenticated administrators or users with sufficient privileges can unknowingly execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the administrative context, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or modify critical system configurations. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which classifies this as a classic XSS vulnerability where user input is not properly escaped before being rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator credentials, modify or delete content, install backdoors, or even gain complete control over the WordPress installation. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious code can remain active as long as the vulnerable plugin remains installed, creating a long-term security risk for affected systems. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress installations may host sensitive data or serve as critical business applications. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where malicious payloads are delivered through seemingly legitimate administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7175 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and output encoding practices. The primary remediation involves upgrading to NextGEN Gallery version 0.97 or later, which includes proper sanitization of user input and implementation of appropriate HTML escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring of administrative interfaces for suspicious activities. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar XSS vulnerabilities in other plugins or core WordPress functionality. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable components within their WordPress installations and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent future incidents of this nature.