CVE-2017-9426 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
ws.php in the Facetag extension 0.0.3 for Piwigo allows SQL injection via the imageId parameter in a facetag.changeTag or facetag.listTags action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The CVE-2017-9426 vulnerability resides within the Facetag extension version 0.0.3 for the Piwigo photo gallery system, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that directly impacts the database integrity and system security. This vulnerability specifically affects the ws.php endpoint which handles web service operations for the Facetag extension, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw manifests through the imageId parameter within two distinct action handlers: facetag.changeTag and facetag.listTags, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system's database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the Facetag extension's web service interface. When users submit requests containing the imageId parameter through either of the affected actions, the extension fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before executing database queries. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can manipulate the underlying database structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the extension's lack of proper parameter binding or input filtering mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user information, including personal photos, user credentials, and system metadata stored within the Piwigo database. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract database schema information, perform unauthorized modifications to photo tags, manipulate user permissions, or even escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects organizations using Piwigo photo galleries with the Facetag extension, potentially exposing thousands of users to data breaches, especially in environments where the gallery serves as a repository for personal or sensitive content. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Piwigo is widely used for personal photo sharing and community-based gallery hosting.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9426 should prioritize immediate patching of the Facetag extension to version 0.0.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterization of database queries. System administrators should implement input validation at multiple layers, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict sanitization before database interaction. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting database permissions for the web application, restricting the application's ability to perform unauthorized operations. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and filtering malicious SQL injection attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring tools to track and alert on suspicious SQL injection activities, aligning with industry standards such as those recommended by the CWE-89 category for SQL injection prevention. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 and its potential mapping to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks emphasizes the need for comprehensive defensive measures including proper input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation.