CVE-2013-7242 in ZenPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in zp-core/zp-extensions/wordpress_import.php in Zenphoto before 1.4.5.4 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the tableprefix parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2013-7242 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Zenphoto content management system version 1.4.5.3 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the wordpress_import.php extension within the zp-core/zp-extensions directory structure, making it accessible to attackers who can authenticate as administrators. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the tableprefix parameter that is processed during the WordPress import functionality. This issue falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a serious weakness in application security that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator accesses the WordPress import feature and provides a malicious tableprefix parameter. The application fails to properly escape or validate this input before incorporating it into SQL query construction, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, deletion, or even complete database compromise. The attack vector requires administrative privileges but does not need special technical expertise beyond understanding SQL injection principles. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets a legitimate administrative function that would normally be expected to operate safely within the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Zenphoto installations that have been compromised. An attacker with administrative access could extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, or other database contents that might include configuration details, plugin settings, or content management data. The compromise of an administrator account through this vulnerability could lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to modify website content, install malicious software, or establish persistent access. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, potentially causing data loss, service disruption, or reputational damage to organizations relying on Zenphoto for their web presence. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through exploitation of application vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code within the database context.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to Zenphoto version 1.4.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security audits of their web applications. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the impact if an attacker gains administrative access, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database query patterns or unauthorized import activities. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential SQL injection attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all user inputs, especially in administrative functions, and highlights the critical need for regular security updates and patch management processes within CMS environments.