CVE-2016-1000115 in Portfolio Gallery Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Huge-IT Portfolio Gallery manager v1.1.5 SQL Injection and XSS
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2019
The CVE-2016-1000115 vulnerability affects the Huge-IT Portfolio Gallery manager version 1.1.5, presenting a critical security flaw that combines both SQL injection and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This WordPress plugin vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database and inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's parameter handling mechanisms, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors seeking to compromise WordPress installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input parameters within the plugin's backend processing functions. Attackers can manipulate specific GET or POST parameters to inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the database. The SQL injection occurs when the plugin fails to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized database operations such as data retrieval, modification, or deletion. Simultaneously, the cross-site scripting vulnerability emerges from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize output rendered on web pages, enabling attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete database compromise capabilities and persistent client-side attack vectors. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive user data, including administrative credentials, personal information, and configuration details. The SQL injection aspect allows for privilege escalation attacks, potentially enabling attackers to gain administrative control over affected WordPress installations. The XSS component creates persistent threat vectors that can be used for session hijacking, credential theft, and distribution of malware to unsuspecting users. Additionally, attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to deface websites, inject backdoors, or establish persistent access points within compromised environments.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the Huge-IT Portfolio Gallery manager plugin, which should contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts and XSS payloads. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify potentially compromised plugins or themes. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including application-level parameter sanitization, database query parameterization, and output encoding. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 for SQL injection and CWE-79 for cross-site scripting, representing fundamental security flaws that violate core application security principles. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including network segmentation, privileged access controls, and regular security patch management to prevent exploitation.