CVE-2013-2240 in Menalto
Summary
by MITRE
lib/flowplayer.swf.php in Gallery 3 before 3.0.9 does not properly remove query fragments, which allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a replay attack, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-2138.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2240 affects Gallery 3 versions prior to 3.0.9 and specifically targets the lib/flowplayer.swf.php component. This issue stems from improper handling of query fragments within URL parameters, creating a security weakness that enables attackers to manipulate the flowplayer functionality. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize or remove query fragments from URLs, potentially allowing malicious actors to exploit this oversight in ways that could compromise system integrity or user data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the flowplayer.swf.php script not properly sanitizing URL inputs that contain query fragments. Query fragments, typically represented by the hash symbol followed by a string in URLs, are often used to specify particular sections or states within web applications. When Gallery 3 processes these fragments without proper validation or removal, it creates an attack surface where malicious actors can inject or manipulate URL parameters that influence how the flowplayer component renders media content. This behavior creates opportunities for replay attacks where previously valid query parameters can be reused to achieve unauthorized actions or access different application states.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2240 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it enables attackers to potentially exploit the replay attack vector in ways that could compromise user sessions or access unauthorized content. The vulnerability's classification as having an unspecified impact reflects the potential severity that could arise from various attack scenarios, including but not limited to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized content access. The fact that this vulnerability operates differently from CVE-2013-2138 indicates that while both issues involve URL handling, they affect distinct components or aspects of the Gallery 3 application security model. This distinction is crucial for security teams to understand when implementing mitigation strategies, as the attack vectors and potential consequences differ between these related vulnerabilities.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-601, which addresses URL redirector abuse, and potentially CWE-20, which covers input validation issues. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications through manipulation of URL parameters. Organizations using Gallery 3 versions before 3.0.9 should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the improper handling of query fragments creates a persistent security risk that could be exploited by threat actors. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper URL sanitization routines that ensure query fragments are either removed or properly validated before being processed by the flowplayer component, thereby eliminating the replay attack surface and protecting against unauthorized access patterns that could compromise the application's security posture.
The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling flaws can create significant security implications in web applications. The failure to properly address query fragment removal in the flowplayer component creates an attack vector that could be leveraged by threat actors to perform unauthorized actions or access sensitive functionality. This issue underscores the importance of comprehensive input validation and the need for security testing that specifically addresses URL parameter handling. The distinction from CVE-2013-2138 emphasizes that even similar vulnerability types can have different attack surfaces and potential impacts, requiring security teams to maintain detailed understanding of their application's specific implementation patterns and attack vectors. Organizations should implement regular security assessments that include URL parameter validation testing to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of their web applications.