CVE-2008-7187 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) 1.4.14 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to include/slideshow.inc.php, which leaks the installation path in an error message.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7187 affects Coppermine Photo Gallery version 1.4.14, a widely used open-source web application for managing and displaying photo galleries. This particular flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exposes critical system details to unauthenticated remote attackers. The vulnerability exists within the slideshow functionality of the application, specifically in the include/slideshow.inc.php file, where improper error handling leads to the exposure of sensitive installation path information. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-200 - Information Exposure, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers make direct requests to the slideshow.inc.php file without proper authentication or input validation. When the application encounters an error during the processing of these requests, it fails to sanitize the error messages properly, resulting in the leakage of the complete server installation path. This path information typically includes the full directory structure where the Coppermine gallery is installed, potentially revealing sensitive details about the server configuration, file system layout, and potentially even the operating system in use. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that are commonly found in legacy web applications, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with foundational information needed for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked installation path can serve as a critical piece of intelligence for attackers planning more advanced exploitation attempts. Cybersecurity frameworks such as the ATT&CK matrix classify this type of vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries gather information about the target system's file structure. This information can be used to identify potential attack vectors, locate sensitive configuration files, or map out the application's architecture. The exposure of the installation path may also reveal the presence of other vulnerabilities by providing insight into the application's version and potential security misconfigurations that could be exploited in combination with this information disclosure. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Coppermine Photo Gallery face increased risk of subsequent attacks, as the leaked information significantly reduces the attack surface complexity for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Coppermine Photo Gallery version to the latest available secure release, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions. System administrators should also implement proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive path information from being exposed in error messages, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten security guidelines. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can be configured to monitor and block direct requests to sensitive include files, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities within other applications. The remediation process should also include disabling error display in production environments and implementing comprehensive logging to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level controls that restrict access to internal include files through proper access control mechanisms and input validation to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system components.