CVE-2015-2034 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the administrative backend in Piwigo before 2.7.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page parameter to admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2034 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative backend of Piwigo version 2.7.3 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing it within the web application context. The vulnerability specifically affects the admin.php endpoint where the page parameter is processed without sufficient security controls, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector leverages the administrative backend interface where legitimate administrators might be tricked into visiting malicious URLs containing crafted payloads. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it targets the administrative interface, which typically contains sensitive functionality and access to critical system controls. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of an administrator's browser session, potentially leading to complete system compromise through session hijacking, credential theft, or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform actions that require administrative privileges. When administrators visit compromised pages, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, which can capture session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify administrative settings. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or direct network connectivity to the application server. Instead, they can deliver malicious payloads through social engineering techniques, compromised websites, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that lead to the injection of malicious content into the page parameter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2034 primarily involve implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution is upgrading to Piwigo version 2.7.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be executed, and employ proper parameter validation techniques that sanitize all user inputs before processing. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and monitoring administrative access logs can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, where adversaries use web-based scripting to execute malicious code in victim environments. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values that could indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of secure coding practices in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges are granted. The flaw highlights the necessity of consistent input validation across all application parameters and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors. Organizations maintaining legacy systems should prioritize patch management processes to address known vulnerabilities promptly, as this particular flaw represents a well-documented weakness that has been remediated in newer versions of the software.