CVE-2013-1469 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in install.php in Piwigo before 2.4.7 allows remote attackers to read and delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the dl parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1469 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Piwigo photo gallery software version 2.4.6 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the install.php script and allows remote attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically manifests when the dl parameter is manipulated with directory traversal sequences such as .. which enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of file access control and input sanitization. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the dl parameter in the install.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file operations. When an attacker submits a crafted dl parameter containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these sequences without adequate restrictions, allowing access to files outside the intended web root directory. This vulnerability specifically impacts the installation process of Piwigo, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during software deployment or maintenance phases. The implications extend beyond simple file reading to include potential file deletion capabilities, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage scope.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1469 is substantial as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive server files including configuration files, database credentials, and potentially system files that could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to read administrative configuration files, access user data, or even delete critical system files that would render the application inoperable. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Piwigo is used for hosting sensitive content or where the application has elevated privileges on the server. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework including privilege escalation, defense evasion, and credential access, as attackers can leverage this weakness to gain deeper system access and potentially escalate privileges.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate patching of the Piwigo application to version 2.4.7 or later where the directory traversal protection has been implemented. Organizations should ensure that all instances of Piwigo are updated and that proper input validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization, using whitelist validation for file paths, and ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or filtered before being used in file operations. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of their web applications to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental security controls that should be integrated into all software development lifecycle processes to prevent such critical flaws from being introduced in the first place.