CVE-2023-44393 : Security Advisory and Response

Piwigo is an open-source photo gallery application that was affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability prior to version 14.0.0beta4. This vulnerability allowed attackers to inject and execute malicious HTML and JavaScript code when visiting a specific URL within the application.

Understanding CVE-2023-44393

This section provides insight into the nature and impact of the CVE-2023-44393 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-44393?

CVE-2023-44393 refers to a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Piwigo application, specifically on the

/admin.php?page=plugins&tab=new&installstatus=ok&plugin_id=[here]

page. The vulnerability allowed attackers to inject malicious code into the HTML page, which could be executed by admin users visiting the compromised URL.

The Impact of CVE-2023-44393

The impact of CVE-2023-44393 was rated as critical with a CVSS base score of 9.3. Attackers with access to a specially crafted URL could exploit the vulnerability, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-44393

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-44393 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from the insecure injection of the

plugin_id

value from the URL into the HTML page, allowing attackers to craft URLs with specially manipulated

plugin_id

values to execute malicious code on the targeted system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacted Piwigo versions prior to 14.0.0beta4, highlighting the importance of updating to the patched version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by tricking admin users into visiting a malicious URL containing the manipulated

plugin_id

value. Upon accessing the URL, the injected code would execute within the context of the admin user's session.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2023-44393 and similar threats, proactive security measures and immediate actions are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Piwigo installations to version 14.0.0beta4 or newer to apply the necessary patches and eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, administrators are advised to remain vigilant against phishing attempts that could lead to the exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security audits, maintain up-to-date software versions, and educate users about safe browsing practices to mitigate the risks associated with XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly installing security patches and updates provided by software vendors is essential for enhancing the overall security posture of the system and addressing known vulnerabilities.