CVE-2017-17824 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
The Batch Manager component of Piwigo 2.9.2 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the admin/batch_manager_unit.php element_ids parameter in unit mode. 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-2017-17824 resides within the Batch Manager component of Piwigo version 2.9.2, representing a critical security flaw that directly impacts the database integrity and confidentiality of affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/batch_manager_unit.php script where the element_ids parameter is processed in unit mode, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input.
The technical nature of this flaw constitutes a classic SQL injection vulnerability, which falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89 as identified by the CWE database. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the element_ids parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate their privileges within the database environment. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to extract sensitive information from the MySQL database, including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the vulnerability exists within the administrative interface that typically has elevated permissions.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, as attackers would typically reconnaissance the target system before exploiting this weakness. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the element_ids parameter to inject SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise. Organizations running affected Piwigo installations face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the exposure of sensitive user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Piwigo application to version 2.9.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected component would prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities.