AOSSIE-Org / AOSSIE-Org/PictoPy
[Security/Bug]: SQL Injection vulnerability in dynamic UPDATE queries via unvalidated column names
- Dominant language
- Python
- Stars
- 283
- Forks
- 679
- Avg merge
- 7d 2h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 3
Description
### Is there an existing issue for this?
- [x] I have searched the existing issues
### What happened?
## Description
During a recent static security analysis of the `pictopy` repository, a genuine **SQL Injection (CWE-89)** risk was identified in the backend's database update logic.
While the *values* in the SQL queries are safely parameterized, the **column names** are being injected directly into the SQL string using Python `f-strings` and `.join()`. Because parameterization (`?`) only protects values and not identifiers (like table or column names), this creates an injection vector if the column names are derived from untrusted user input (e.g., parsed directly from a JSON request payload).
## Vulnerability Details
**File:** `backend/app/database/face_clusters.py` (and potentially other files using dynamic updates)
**Lines:** ~223-225
```python
cursor.execute(
f"UPDATE face_clusters SET {', '.join(update_fields)} WHERE cluster_id = ?",
update_values,
)
```
# Attack Scenario:
If a malicious user sends a request payload where the JSON key (which populates update_fields) is manipulated—for example, {"cluster_name = 'hacked' --": "value"}—the resulting SQL query structure will be altered, bypassing the intended logic and allowing arbitrary database manipulation.
Expected Behavior
Column names in UPDATE queries must be strictly validated against a hardcoded allowlist before being dynamically formatted into the SQL string.
Proposed Solution
Implement an allowlist (e.g., ALLOWED_COLUMNS) and filter the requested update fields before constructing the query.
Here is an example of how this can be secured:
# 1. Define safe columns for this specific table
ALLOWED_COLUMNS = {"cluster_name", "face_image_base64", "is_hidden"}
safe_fields = []
safe_values =
### Record
- [x] I agree to follow this project's Code of Conduct
Contributor guide
Assessment
This issue has not been assessed yet.