CVE-2018-7724 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE
The management panel in Piwigo 2.9.3 has stored XSS via the name parameter in a /admin.php?page=photo-${photo_number} request. CSRF exploitation, related to CVE-2017-10681, may be possible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7724 affects the management panel of Piwigo version 2.9.3, specifically targeting the photo management functionality. This issue resides within the administrative interface where users can manipulate photo metadata through the admin.php endpoint. The flaw manifests when processing the name parameter in requests formatted as /admin.php?page=photo-${photo_number}, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent cross-site scripting payloads. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the photo naming mechanism, allowing attackers to store malicious scripts that execute whenever the affected page is accessed by authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this stored cross-site scripting vulnerability occurs due to improper HTML escaping and output encoding in the photo management interface. When administrators or users view the photo details page, the unsanitized name parameter is directly rendered into the HTML output without adequate sanitization measures. This creates a persistent threat where malicious code injected through the name field executes in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page, making it a classic stored XSS vector that can be exploited by attackers who gain access to upload or modify photo metadata.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges within the Piwigo system, access sensitive administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The presence of a related CSRF vulnerability CVE-2017-10681 suggests that the system's overall security posture is compromised, as CSRF protection mechanisms may be insufficient to prevent coordinated attacks. This combination of vulnerabilities creates a significant risk for organizations using Piwigo for photo galleries or media management, particularly those with multiple administrators or users who might be targeted through social engineering to trigger the XSS payload.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly in administrative interfaces where photo metadata is handled. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while proper HTML escaping and output encoding should be enforced throughout the application's codebase. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues in other parts of the application, and the system should be updated to newer versions of Piwigo where these vulnerabilities have been addressed. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious activities related to photo management functions and establish proper access controls to limit who can modify photo metadata. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, particularly when malicious scripts are designed to establish persistence or exfiltrate data from compromised systems.