CVE-2017-17823 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
The Configuration component of Piwigo 2.9.2 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the admin/configuration.php order_by array parameter. An attacker can exploit this to gain access to the data in a connected MySQL database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17823 affects the Configuration component of Piwigo version 2.9.2, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the application to unauthorized data access. This issue specifically targets the admin/configuration.php script where the order_by array parameter is processed without proper input sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences. The vulnerability resides within the application's database interaction logic where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL statements without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the order_by parameter to inject malicious SQL code into the database query execution flow. This flaw allows for arbitrary code execution within the database context, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into database queries, a fundamental security principle that aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Piwigo installations as it provides attackers with direct access to the underlying MySQL database containing potentially sensitive user information, configuration data, and media content. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute administrative commands or gain deeper access to the server infrastructure. Organizations using Piwigo version 2.9.2 are particularly vulnerable since this represents a known weakness that has been documented and exploited in various attack scenarios. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise web applications.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Piwigo application to version 2.9.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected code sections would prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts, while establishing regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their software infrastructure. The remediation efforts should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, ensuring comprehensive protection against both current and potential future exploitation attempts.