CVE-2018-7723 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
The management panel in Piwigo 2.9.3 has stored XSS via the virtual_name parameter in a /admin.php?page=cat_list request, a different issue than CVE-2017-9836. CSRF exploitation, related to CVE-2017-10681, may be possible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7723 affects the Piwigo photo gallery management panel version 2.9.3, representing a significant security weakness that could enable unauthorized attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users. This flaw specifically resides in the administrative interface where the virtual_name parameter fails to properly sanitize user input during processing of the /admin.php?page=cat_list request. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that malicious payloads can be permanently stored within the application's database and subsequently executed whenever the affected page is accessed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that extends beyond typical reflected XSS scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the Piwigo administration module. When administrators or users with appropriate privileges navigate to the category list management page and provide malicious input through the virtual_name parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter the data before storing it in the database. This stored data is then later rendered back to users without proper sanitization, creating an environment where malicious JavaScript code can execute in the browser context of any user who views the affected pages. The vulnerability operates within the context of a web application that handles user-generated content and administrative operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the specific implementation details of the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. The potential for CSRF exploitation related to CVE-2017-10681 further amplifies the threat landscape, as attackers could combine these vulnerabilities to execute automated attacks without requiring user interaction for the initial exploitation phase. This combination of stored XSS and potential CSRF capabilities creates a dangerous attack surface that could allow adversaries to escalate privileges, manipulate gallery content, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of Piwigo, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire photo gallery system.
Organizations utilizing Piwigo 2.9.3 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding enhancements to prevent malicious data from being stored and executed. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied input before storage and rendering, along with implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses the specific input handling issues in the virtual_name parameter processing. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1548.001 for abuse of system permissions, highlighting the potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments.