CVE-2017-9425 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
The Facetag extension 0.0.3 for Piwigo allows XSS via the name parameter to ws.php in a facetag.changeTag action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9425 affects the Facetag extension version 0.0.3 for the Piwigo photo gallery system, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote code execution through improper input validation. This issue specifically manifests within the ws.php endpoint when processing the facetag.changeTag action, where the name parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into the application's response. The vulnerability resides in the extension's failure to implement adequate input filtering and output encoding mechanisms, creating an exploitable vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web application's response. The flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a critical security weakness. This weakness directly enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further compromise of the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the photo gallery's user interface and potentially escalate privileges within the application's context. When a user accesses a page containing maliciously crafted input through the name parameter, the injected JavaScript executes in the victim's browser, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the authenticated user. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate functionality of the Facetag extension, making it more difficult to detect and block through traditional security measures. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate execution environment but also the broader Piwigo ecosystem, as compromised users could potentially gain access to additional administrative functions or sensitive gallery data. This type of flaw aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use web-based scripting to execute malicious code within the victim's browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9425 require immediate patching of the Facetag extension to version 0.0.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that filter and escape all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on the ws.php endpoint and the facetag.changeTag action. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the gallery's web interface. Regular security audits of third-party extensions and plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist within the Piwigo installation. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the ws.php endpoint, particularly those containing unusual parameter patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all inputs and encoding outputs in web applications, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten Project and the Secure Coding practices outlined in the ISO/IEC 27034 standard for application security. Organizations must also maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify similar vulnerabilities in other extensions and plugins that may present analogous risks to their web applications.