CVE-2009-1911 in TinyWebGallery
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in .include/init.php (aka admin/_include/init.php) in QuiXplorer 2.3.2 and earlier, as used in TinyWebGallery (TWG) 1.7.6 and earlier, allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the lang parameter to admin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-1911 represents a critical directory traversal flaw that affects the QuiXplorer file management system when integrated into TinyWebGallery applications. This vulnerability exists within the administrative initialization file located at .include/init.php or admin/_include/init.php in affected versions of the software. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied parameters from accessing arbitrary file paths on the server filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the lang parameter in the admin/index.php endpoint. Attackers can leverage directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files on the web server. This allows malicious actors to include and execute arbitrary local files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a directory traversal attack, which specifically targets improper input validation in file access operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation enables attackers to read sensitive system files, including configuration files, database credentials, and other administrative resources that could reveal critical system information. The ability to execute arbitrary code through file inclusion means that attackers can establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy malware directly on the compromised server. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications running on vulnerable versions of TinyWebGallery, which were widely deployed for image gallery management, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise web servers.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to versions that properly sanitize user input and implement proper path validation. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that filter out directory traversal sequences and enforce strict access controls on administrative files. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of both QuiXplorer and TinyWebGallery, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts, and conducting thorough security audits of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as the exploitation path allows for arbitrary code execution through file inclusion mechanisms.