CVE-2012-1614 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Coppermine Photo Gallery before 1.5.20 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via (1) a direct request to plugins/visiblehookpoints/index.php, an invalid (2) page or (3) cat parameter to thumbnails.php, an invalid (4) page parameter to usermgr.php, or an invalid (5) newer_than or (6) older_than parameter to search.inc.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1614 affects Coppermine Photo Gallery versions prior to 1.5.20 and represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw that exposes installation paths through improper error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed parameters in several key script files without proper validation or sanitization, leading to the revelation of critical system information that could aid malicious actors in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple attack vectors within the Coppermine Photo Gallery application. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting direct requests to plugins/visiblehookpoints/index.php with invalid parameters, or by manipulating parameters in thumbnails.php, usermgr.php, and search.inc.php. When these scripts encounter invalid page, cat, newer_than, or older_than parameters, they generate error messages that inadvertently disclose the full installation path of the vulnerable system. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper input validation and error handling procedures, allowing the system's internal path structure to be exposed in error responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the affected system. The exposure of the complete file system path provides attackers with crucial information about the server's directory structure, which can be leveraged for directory traversal attacks, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or to craft more targeted exploitation techniques. This information disclosure vulnerability creates a foundation for potential privilege escalation and further compromise of the affected web application and underlying system infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core functionality scripts that are frequently accessed during normal application usage, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who may be monitoring web traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1614 should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling procedures throughout the application. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Coppermine Photo Gallery version 1.5.20 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing these information disclosure vulnerabilities. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper error handling that prevents sensitive path information from being exposed in error messages, following the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures to detect and block malformed parameter requests before they reach vulnerable application components. The remediation efforts should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure web application development, ensuring that error messages do not reveal system-specific information that could aid in exploitation attempts.