CVE-2009-4614 in Moa Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Moa Gallery 1.2.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the MOA_PATH parameter to (1) _error_funcs.php, (2) _integrity_funcs.php, (3) _template_component_admin.php, (4) _template_component_gallery.php, (5) _template_parser.php, (6) mod_gallery_funcs.php, (7) mod_image_funcs.php, (8) mod_tag_funcs.php, (9) mod_tag_view.php, (10) mod_upgrade_funcs.php, (11) mod_user_funcs.php, (12) page_admin.php, (13) page_gallery_add.php, (14) page_gallery_view.php, (15) page_image_add.php, (16) page_image_view_full.php, (17) page_login.php, and (18) page_sitemap.php in sources/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4614 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in Moa Gallery version 1.2.0 and earlier, exposing numerous entry points that enable attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and improper input validation, specifically manifesting as a remote code execution vector through manipulation of the MOA_PATH parameter. The affected files span across the entire application's core functionality including error handling, integrity checks, template components, module functions, and various page controllers, creating an extensive attack surface that significantly amplifies the potential impact of exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into file path operations. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the MOA_PATH parameter, the application directly includes and executes the remote file without proper sanitization or validation checks. This primitive allows for arbitrary code execution, which aligns with CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) and CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple files within the sources/ directory indicates a systemic design flaw in the application's input handling architecture, where the same insecure pattern is repeated throughout the codebase rather than being addressed at the framework level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation enables remote attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell). Given that the vulnerability affects core application functionality including administrative pages and gallery modules, attackers can manipulate user data, modify application behavior, and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper system access. The widespread nature of affected files also means that exploitation can occur through multiple vectors, making detection and remediation more challenging for system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4614 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. This includes enforcing strict whitelisting of acceptable values, implementing proper path validation, and ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameters. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate patching or upgrading of Moa Gallery to version 1.2.1 or later, as well as comprehensive code review to identify and remediate similar patterns throughout the application. Additionally, system administrators should implement network segmentation, limit web server privileges, and establish robust monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar insecure coding practices that could lead to comparable vulnerabilities in other applications.