CVE-2008-2182 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the powermail extension before 1.1.10 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2018
The CVE-2008-2182 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the powermail extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.1.10 and exposes web applications to remote code execution through malicious script injection attacks. The flaw resides in how the powermail extension processes user input, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in content management systems where multiple users interact with the platform, as they can potentially compromise user sessions and data integrity. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple input points within the extension's functionality, making it challenging to predict all possible attack surfaces without detailed analysis of the specific implementation.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-site Scripting as a weakness where software does not properly sanitize user-provided data before including it in output that is sent to web browsers. The powermail extension's failure to adequately validate and escape user input creates a persistent security gap that attackers can exploit to manipulate web page content. The attack vector typically involves injecting malicious scripts into form fields or other user input areas that are then rendered without proper sanitization. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under T1566 - Phishing with Social Engineering, as attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to end users while executing unauthorized code. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to include session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation within the TYPO3 environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2182 is substantial for organizations relying on TYPO3 with the powermail extension, as it provides attackers with a persistent means to compromise user sessions and potentially gain deeper access to the system. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially enabling them to access sensitive information, modify content, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability affects the core security model of web applications by undermining the trust boundary between user input and output rendering. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, as the malicious scripts can capture user credentials, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the application's behavior. The long-term implications include potential compromise of the entire TYPO3 installation if attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2182 center on immediate version upgrading to powermail 1.1.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their TYPO3 installations, particularly in areas where user data is processed. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by detecting and blocking known malicious patterns in HTTP requests. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other extensions or custom code. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated extension to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing functionality. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an extra layer of defense against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the browser context.