CVE-2016-6565 in NextGEN Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
The Imagely NextGen Gallery plugin for Wordpress prior to version 2.1.57 does not properly validate user input in the cssfile parameter of a HTTP POST request, which may allow an authenticated user to read arbitrary files from the server, or execute arbitrary code on the server in some circumstances (dependent on server configuration).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The CVE-2016-6565 vulnerability affects the Imagely NextGen Gallery plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 2.1.57, presenting a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of the cssfile parameter within HTTP POST requests, creating a path for unauthorized access to sensitive server resources. The flaw represents a classic example of insecure input validation that can escalate to arbitrary file reading or code execution capabilities, depending on the underlying server configuration and permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and validate user input when processing the cssfile parameter. When an authenticated user submits a POST request containing malicious input in the cssfile parameter, the plugin processes this input without adequate validation checks, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and potentially access files outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a form of path traversal attack that can be leveraged to read sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6565 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability can potentially enable remote code execution in server environments where appropriate security restrictions are not in place. Attackers who can authenticate to the WordPress system can exploit this flaw to read arbitrary files from the server, potentially accessing sensitive data such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and cryptographic keys. In certain server configurations with weak security controls, this vulnerability may also permit code execution, allowing attackers to deploy malicious payloads or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The severity classification of this vulnerability is elevated due to its potential for privilege escalation and the fact that it requires only authenticated access, which is often readily available through compromised user credentials or social engineering attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to version 2.1.57 or later of the Imagely NextGen Gallery plugin, as this release includes proper input validation mechanisms that prevent the exploitation of the cssfile parameter. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and ensuring that WordPress installations maintain current versions of core software and all plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive backup strategies to enable rapid recovery from potential compromise scenarios.