CVE-2013-7334 in ImageCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in ImageCMS before 4.2 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct SQL injection attacks via the q parameter, related to CVE-2012-6290.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The CVE-2013-7334 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw in ImageCMS versions prior to 4.2 that enables remote attackers to exploit administrative authentication sessions for executing SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability operates through the q parameter within the application's request handling mechanism, creating a dangerous chain of exploitation that combines CSRF and SQL injection vectors. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to trick authenticated administrators into executing malicious requests without their knowledge or consent, while simultaneously leveraging the administrative privileges to perform database manipulation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and protection mechanisms within ImageCMS's parameter handling system. When administrators navigate to compromised web pages or click on malicious links, the application fails to properly verify the authenticity of requests originating from the legitimate administrative interface. The q parameter becomes the primary attack vector where malicious payloads can be injected, and the lack of proper CSRF tokens or referer validation creates an opening for attackers to craft requests that appear legitimate to the CMS system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it combines two distinct attack vectors into a single exploit chain, amplifying its potential impact on system security.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7334 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with administrative access to perform comprehensive database manipulation. Once an attacker successfully hijacks an administrator session through CSRF, they can execute SQL injection attacks that may result in complete database compromise, user credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential system escalation. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor opportunity where attackers can maintain access and continue exploiting the system over time. Additionally, the administrative privileges gained through this attack vector enable attackers to modify system configurations, install malware, or create new administrative accounts, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire CMS environment.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of how insufficient input validation and authentication checks can create cascading security risks within web applications. The flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities, and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms such as anti-CSRF tokens, referer header validation, and strict origin checking. Organizations should also consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, as it provides an initial foothold for attackers to gain administrative access and subsequently move laterally within the system. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2012-6290 further emphasizes the interconnected nature of web application security flaws and the importance of comprehensive security auditing across all application components. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to ImageCMS version 4.2 or later, implementation of robust CSRF protection measures, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.