CVE-2023-33362 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2023
Piwigo 13.6.0 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via in the "profile" function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2026
Piwigo version 13.6.0 contains a critical sql injection vulnerability within its profile function that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with profile access permissions to manipulate sql queries through malicious input parameters, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is classified under cwe-89 sql injection as it involves the execution of arbitrary sql commands through improper input handling. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious profile parameters that bypass normal validation checks and inject malicious sql syntax into the backend database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive user information including credentials, and potentially gain persistence within the affected system. Since the vulnerability exists within the profile function, it affects all users who can access profile management features, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators might have elevated privileges. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many web applications store sensitive information within profile data including personal details, authentication tokens, and system configuration parameters. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the attack framework under initial access and privilege escalation phases, where attackers leverage authenticated access to perform more extensive system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the profile function and related components. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of piwigo where available, as this vulnerability affects the core application functionality. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with sql injection detection capabilities, enforcing least privilege access controls, and conducting regular security code reviews can help prevent similar issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and proper database interaction practices, aligning with security best practices outlined in owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar injection flaws in other application components and ensure comprehensive protection against sql injection attacks.