CVE-2026-38467 in GazellePW
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
A SQL injection vulnerability in the tags manager in GazellePW (GazellePosterWall) commit 86c4bedf727691b5a97af42a4864869d18446449 allows remote authenticated users with users_mod privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the tagid or type parameter in a crafted POST request to tools.php?action=manage_tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a classic injection flaw within the GazellePW application, specifically targeting its tags management subsystem. This security issue is rooted in improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, commonly categorized under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (SQL Injection). The root cause lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input before it is incorporated into database queries. When a remote authenticated user possessing users_mod privileges interacts with the application's tag management interface, they can manipulate specific parameters to alter the intended logic of backend SQL statements. This flaw allows for the execution of arbitrary Structured Query Language commands on the underlying database server, bypassing standard access controls and data integrity checks designed by the developers.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves crafting a malicious POST request directed at the tools.php endpoint with the action parameter set to manage_tags. By injecting specific payloads into either the tagid or type parameters, an attacker can break out of the expected query context. For instance, if the application constructs a SQL statement such as SELECT * FROM tags WHERE id = [tagid], an attacker could supply a value like 1 OR 1=1 to retrieve all records, or use UNION-based techniques to extract data from other tables within the database schema. This capability extends beyond simple data exfiltration; depending on the privileges of the database account used by the application and the capabilities enabled in the specific Database Management System (DBMS), an attacker might be able to execute operating system commands, modify critical configuration files, or escalate their access further within the network environment.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it leverages a web application interface that is accessible over the network. Furthermore, because exploitation requires authentication and specific privileges (users_mod), it also relates to privilege escalation vectors where an attacker uses existing access to perform actions beyond their intended scope. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on GazellePW. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored in the database, including user credentials, personal information, or proprietary business logic contained within tag-related tables. In more advanced attack scenarios, it could serve as an initial foothold for deeper network penetration if the database server allows for command execution extensions such as xp_cmdshell on Microsoft SQL Server or similar features in other DBMS platforms.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary fix involves implementing strict input validation and parameterized queries (prepared statements) within the application code handling the manage_tags action. Developers should ensure that all inputs from tagid and type parameters are treated as data rather than executable code, using database-specific escaping functions or ORM frameworks that automatically handle sanitization. Additionally, applying the principle of least privilege to the database account used by GazellePW is critical; this account should only have permissions necessary for its function, preventing attackers from executing administrative commands even if injection occurs. Network-level controls such as Web Application Firewalls (WAF) can provide a temporary layer of defense by detecting and blocking known SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests, though they are not a substitute for code-level fixes. Regular security audits and static application security testing should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future updates.