CVE-2020-19216 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
SQL Injection vulnerability in admin/user_perm.php in piwigo v2.9.5, via the cat_false parameter to admin.php?page=group_perm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2020-19216 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Piwigo photo gallery software version 2.9.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative user permission management component, making it particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions. The flaw exists within the admin/user_perm.php file where the cat_false parameter is processed through the admin.php?page=group_perm endpoint, creating an exploitable path for malicious SQL commands to be executed against the underlying database.
This SQL injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the administrative interface of Piwigo. The cat_false parameter, when manipulated by an attacker, bypasses normal security controls and directly influences the SQL query construction process. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where user-controllable data is improperly incorporated into SQL commands without adequate escaping or parameterization. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates within the administrative context, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with full control over user permissions and potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate user permissions and potentially escalate privileges within the Piwigo system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to add new administrative users, modify existing user permissions, or even delete critical database entries. The affected endpoint admin.php?page=group_perm suggests that the vulnerability specifically targets group-based permission management, which could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to restricted administrative functions. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-19216 should prioritize immediate patching of the Piwigo software to version 2.9.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only trusted users and systems. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential SQL injection vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and prevent SQL injection attempts in real-time.