CVE-2026-38468 in GazellePW
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
A SQL injection vulnerability in the country-code lookup endpoint in GazellePW (GazellePosterWall) commit 86c4bedf727691b5a97af42a4864869d18446449 allows remote authenticated users with users_view_ips privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ip parameter in a crafted request to tools.php?action=get_cc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified in GazellePW, specifically within the country-code lookup endpoint accessible through commit 86c4bedf727691b5a97af42a4864869d18446449, represents a classic SQL injection flaw that compromises the integrity of database queries. This security defect resides in the tools.php script when invoked with the action parameter set to get_cc. The root cause is the failure to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before it is incorporated into an SQL query structure. Specifically, the ip parameter passed by the client is directly concatenated or interpolated into a database command without adequate validation against injection payloads. This architectural oversight allows any authenticated user possessing the users_view_ips privilege to manipulate the underlying SQL logic, effectively bypassing intended application controls and gaining unauthorized access to data processing pathways that should remain isolated from direct manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers with valid credentials but limited privileges to execute arbitrary Structured Query Language commands on the backend database server. The impact extends beyond simple data exfiltration; depending on the configuration of the underlying Database Management System and its permissions, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized reading of sensitive tables containing user information, session tokens, or internal application configurations. In more severe scenarios involving stacked queries or specific DBMS features such as MySQL's INTO OUTFILE, an attacker might achieve remote code execution by writing malicious scripts to a web-accessible directory or loading dynamic libraries if the database process runs with elevated system privileges. This transforms a seemingly benign administrative function into a critical entry point for deeper network compromise and persistent access within the application environment.
The classification of this flaw aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The attack vector is categorized under MITRE ATT&CK technique T1190, Exploit Public-Facing Application, although it requires initial authentication via the users_view_ips privilege level rather than being fully unauthenticated. This distinction highlights that while the vulnerability does not allow immediate anonymous access, it significantly lowers the barrier for insider threats or compromised accounts to escalate their privileges and impact the broader system integrity. The presence of such a flaw indicates insufficient input validation practices during development, where trust is incorrectly placed in authenticated users regarding the format and content of parameters they submit to backend services.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing robust defense-in-depth measures starting with strict parameterization of all database queries. Developers should replace direct string concatenation or interpolation for user inputs like the ip parameter with prepared statements using bound variables, ensuring that input is treated strictly as data rather than executable code. Additionally, applying least-privilege principles to the database account used by the application can limit the damage if an injection attempt succeeds by restricting permissions such as FILE, PROCESS, and SUPER. Input validation should also be enforced at the application layer to ensure that the ip parameter conforms to expected formats, rejecting any input containing SQL metacharacters or unexpected syntax patterns before it reaches the database engine. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools configured to detect CWE-89 patterns are essential for preventing similar regressions in future development cycles.