CVE-2026-3013 in Coppermine Photo Gallery
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2026
Coppermine Photo Gallery in versions 1.6.09 through 1.6.27 is vulnerable to path traversal. Unauthenticated remote attacker is able to exploit a vulnerable endpoint and construct payloads that allow to read content of any file accessible by the the web server process.This issue was fixed in version 1.6.28.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-3013 affects the Coppermine Photo Gallery application, specifically versions ranging from 1.6.09 through 1.6.27, presenting a critical path traversal flaw that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the web server. This vulnerability resides within the application's file handling mechanisms, where insufficient input validation allows malicious users to manipulate file path parameters and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The flaw represents a significant security weakness that directly violates security principles of least privilege and access control, as it permits attackers to read files that should normally be restricted to authorized users only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a vulnerable endpoint that processes file path parameters without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can construct malicious payloads using directory traversal sequences such as '../' or similar path manipulation techniques to navigate beyond the intended file access boundaries. When the web server processes these crafted requests, it executes the file access operations with the privileges of the web server process, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data that the web server has access to. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal issues in software applications, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability in web security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to extract potentially sensitive data from the affected system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access database configuration files containing database credentials, application source code that might reveal additional vulnerabilities, or even system files that could provide insights into the underlying server environment. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any user with access to the vulnerable application can exploit this flaw without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability directly maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 discovery technique, where adversaries seek to gather information about the system environment and file system structure.
Organizations running affected versions of Coppermine Photo Gallery face significant risk of data compromise and potential system infiltration through this vulnerability. The remediation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.6.28 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent path traversal attacks. Additionally, system administrators should implement defensive measures such as restricting file access permissions for the web server process, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, and conducting thorough security audits of the application's file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in web application development, as proper parameter validation would have prevented this exploitation vector from being successful in the first place.