CVE-2018-0610 in ZenPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
Local file inclusion vulnerability in Zenphoto 1.4.14 and earlier allows a remote attacker with an administrative privilege to execute arbitrary code or obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2020
The CVE-2018-0610 vulnerability represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within Zenphoto version 1.4.14 and earlier, demonstrating a significant security weakness that directly impacts web application integrity. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface of Zenphoto, a popular open-source content management system designed for photo galleries and media management. The flaw exists in how the application processes user-supplied input within its administrative functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification as a local file inclusion issue indicates that an attacker can leverage this weakness to include and execute local files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the administrative backend of Zenphoto. Attackers with administrative privileges can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input parameters that manipulate the application's file inclusion logic. When the system processes these parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file operations, allowing arbitrary file paths to be included. This flaw aligns with CWE-98, which specifically addresses the inclusion of files without proper validation, making it a direct instance of insecure file handling within web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves manipulating parameters that control file paths or include directives, enabling attackers to access sensitive system files or execute malicious code within the context of the web server.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0610 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Once an attacker gains administrative access through this vulnerability, they can leverage the compromised privileges to access sensitive information such as database credentials, user authentication details, and system configuration files. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers can deploy backdoors, modify application behavior, or establish persistent access to the affected system. This represents a severe threat to organizations relying on Zenphoto for their digital asset management, as the compromise of administrative credentials combined with this vulnerability creates a pathway for full system takeover. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability requires only administrative privileges to exploit, suggesting that even basic credential security measures could be insufficient to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0610 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The most critical immediate action involves upgrading to Zenphoto version 1.4.15 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures throughout their applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where privilege escalation risks are highest. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that even if one account is compromised, attackers cannot easily escalate to administrative privileges. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their web applications, including code reviews focused on file inclusion mechanisms and input validation practices. This vulnerability's presence in a widely-used CMS platform underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and script injection, highlighting the need for defensive measures that monitor for suspicious execution patterns and anomalous file inclusion behaviors within web server environments.