CVE-2014-4612 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the keywords manager (keywordmgr.php) in Coppermine Photo Gallery before 1.5.27 and 1.6.x before 1.6.01 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
The CVE-2014-4612 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Coppermine Photo Gallery software ecosystem, specifically targeting the keywords manager component through the keywordmgr.php file. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.5.27 and 1.6.x versions before 1.6.01, creating a persistent security risk for web applications utilizing this photo gallery platform. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a prime example of how user-controllable input can be exploited to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the keywords manager functionality, allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. This injection typically happens when user-supplied keywords or metadata are not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement adequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms, particularly in the keyword management interface where users can submit descriptive tags or search terms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or defacing the gallery interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4612 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to establish a foothold within the gallery environment where they can manipulate user experiences and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability's presence in the keywords manager interface means that any user with access to this functionality can become a potential vector for attack, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. This weakness can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, automated scanning tools, or by compromising legitimate user accounts, with the ATT&CK framework categorizing this under T1059.008 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with attachments, as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver malicious payloads that maintain persistence within the gallery environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4612 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Coppermine installations to versions 1.5.27 or 1.6.01 and later, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, particularly focusing on the keyword management functionality. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution, while regular security audits of web applications should include checks for similar input validation weaknesses. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that could indicate XSS attempts, with the mitigation approach aligning with NIST SP 800-160 guidelines for secure software development practices. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or submitting untrusted content to web applications can help reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation attempts.