CVE-2017-9464 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
An open redirect vulnerability is present in Piwigo 2.9 and probably prior versions, allowing remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks. The identification.php component is affected by this issue: the "redirect" parameter is not validated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9464 represents a critical open redirect flaw in Piwigo version 2.9 and potentially earlier releases. This security weakness resides within the identification.php component where the redirect parameter fails to undergo proper validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate user navigation. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization practices that allow attackers to craft malicious URLs containing crafted redirect parameters, which when clicked by unsuspecting users, would direct them to attacker-controlled websites. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-601, which specifically addresses open redirect vulnerabilities where applications fail to validate redirect destinations, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper validation mechanisms within the identification.php script. When users access the affected Piwigo application and encounter a maliciously crafted URL with an unvalidated redirect parameter, the application processes the request without verifying whether the destination domain is legitimate or trusted. This processing allows attackers to construct URLs that appear to originate from the legitimate Piwigo domain, thereby deceiving users into believing they are navigating within the trusted application environment. The flaw essentially permits the application to act as an unwitting intermediary in phishing campaigns, where users are redirected from legitimate Piwigo pages to malicious sites designed to harvest credentials or install malware.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9464 extends beyond simple redirection, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks that can compromise user accounts and system security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create convincing phishing pages that mimic the legitimate Piwigo interface, potentially capturing user credentials or session tokens. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access the application from shared or public computers, as the redirection can occur without user awareness. Organizations using Piwigo for photo sharing, media management, or collaborative platforms face significant risk of credential theft, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential data breaches through this open redirect mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9464 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and destination verification mechanisms within the Piwigo application. System administrators should ensure that all redirect parameters undergo strict validation against a predefined whitelist of trusted domains, preventing redirection to external sites that are not explicitly authorized. The recommended approach involves implementing a domain validation check that confirms the redirect destination matches the application's own domain or a pre-approved list of legitimate partner domains. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing security headers such as Content Security Policy to further restrict redirect behavior and prevent unauthorized navigation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization, principles that align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual redirect patterns and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications.