CVE-2023-37270 in Piwigo
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2023
Piwigo is open source photo gallery software. Prior to version 13.8.0, there is a SQL Injection vulnerability in the login of the administrator screen. The SQL statement that acquires the HTTP Header `User-Agent` is vulnerable at the endpoint that records user information when logging in to the administrator screen. It is possible to execute arbitrary SQL statements. Someone who wants to exploit the vulnerability must be log in to the administrator screen, even with low privileges. Any SQL statement can be executed. Doing so may leak information from the database. Version 13.8.0 contains a fix for this issue. As another mitigation, those who want to execute a SQL statement verbatim with user-enterable parameters should be sure to escape the parameter contents appropriately.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37270 affects Piwigo, an open-source photo gallery software solution that is widely used for managing and sharing digital images. This security flaw represents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exists within the administrator login functionality of versions prior to 13.8.0. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication process when administrators attempt to log into the system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the application's database layer. The flaw manifests through the improper handling of HTTP headers, particularly the User-Agent field, which is processed within the SQL query execution context during administrator login attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the SQL query construction process. When an administrator attempts to log in to the system, the application retrieves the User-Agent HTTP header value and incorporates it directly into a database query without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. This design flaw allows an attacker who has gained access to the administrator login screen, even with minimal privileges, to inject malicious SQL code through the User-Agent header. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates a classic example of unsafe query construction where user-controllable data is directly concatenated into SQL statements. The attack vector requires the attacker to first establish a presence within the system through legitimate administrator access, but once achieved, the privilege escalation potential becomes significant.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database backend. This level of access enables comprehensive data exfiltration, including but not limited to user credentials, system configurations, and potentially sensitive personal information stored within the database. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates at the administrative level, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized modification of the photo gallery's content and configuration. Database leakage scenarios include unauthorized access to user accounts, potential modification of existing images or metadata, and the possibility of injecting malicious code or backdoors into the system. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or further exploitation of related system components.
The remediation for this vulnerability was implemented in Piwigo version 13.8.0, which introduced proper parameterization and input validation mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious SQL code. The fix addresses the core issue by ensuring that all user-controllable parameters, including HTTP headers like User-Agent, are properly escaped and sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. This approach aligns with industry best practices for preventing SQL injection attacks and follows the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly focusing on the prevention of injection flaws. Organizations should implement a comprehensive patch management strategy to ensure all instances of Piwigo are upgraded to version 13.8.0 or later. Additional mitigation strategies include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP headers, establishing strict input validation policies, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on preventing command injection and privilege escalation techniques within web applications.