CVE-2015-6528 in Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in install_classic.php in Coppermine Photo Gallery (CPG) 1.5.36 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) admin_username, (2) admin_password, (3) admin_email, (4) dbserver, (5) dbname, (6) dbuser, (7) dbpass, (8) table_prefix, or (9) impath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-6528 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Coppermine Photo Gallery version 1.5.36 that affects the installation script install_classic.php. This flaw resides in the parameter validation mechanisms during the gallery setup process, where user-supplied input values are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the web browser. The vulnerability impacts multiple parameters including administrative credentials, database connection details, and image path configurations, creating a wide attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the installation script. When administrators or attackers provide values for parameters such as admin_username, admin_password, or database connection details, these inputs are directly incorporated into HTML responses without proper sanitization. This creates a classic XSS vector where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the installation phase when the application is most vulnerable to manipulation, and attackers can leverage this to inject persistent scripts that will execute whenever the installation page is accessed.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts and HTML code in the browsers of users who access the vulnerable installation page. Attackers could potentially steal administrative credentials, inject malicious code that redirects users to phishing sites, or establish persistent backdoors within the target environment. The attack surface is amplified because the installation script typically requires administrative privileges to access, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for the target organization. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent untrusted data from being directly rendered in web contexts without proper sanitization.
The exploitation of CVE-2015-6528 can be mapped to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1059 for command and script injection. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to establish a foothold within the target environment by injecting malicious code that can be executed in the browser context of legitimate users. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly during installation and configuration phases where applications are most susceptible to manipulation. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches for Coppermine Photo Gallery 1.5.36 and implement proper web application firewall rules to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual access patterns to installation scripts and anomalous user behavior that may indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.