CVE-2020-19217 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
SQL Injection vulnerability in admin/batch_manager.php in piwigo v2.9.5, via the filter_category parameter to admin.php?page=batch_manager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
This vulnerability resides within the piwigo photo gallery management system version 2.9.5 where an unauthenticated attacker can exploit a sql injection flaw in the batch manager functionality. The vulnerability specifically affects the admin/batch_manager.php script which processes the filter_category parameter through the admin.php?page=batch_manager endpoint. This represents a classic sql injection attack vector where user input is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization of the filter_category parameter which allows malicious sql code to be executed within the database context. When administrators access the batch manager interface and apply category filters, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the user-supplied category identifiers before incorporating them into backend sql queries. This creates a condition where crafted sql payloads can manipulate the intended database operations to execute arbitrary commands or extract sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, configuration data, and other stored content. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface which typically contains privileged information and controls over the entire gallery system. Depending on the database permissions, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or even denial of service conditions.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a database access technique under the command and control phase where adversaries establish persistent access to backend systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets administrative interfaces which often contain the most sensitive operations and data within web applications. Organizations should consider implementing input validation controls, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to mitigate this class of vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in web applications that handle user-supplied data in database operations.
Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the piwigo application to version 2.9.6 or later which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Administrators should also implement proper input validation mechanisms and ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before database processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security auditing of administrative interfaces and monitoring for suspicious database access patterns should also be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.