CVE-2008-2345 in Air Filemanager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the air_filemanager 0.6.0 and earlier extension for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via unspecified vectors related to "insufficient file filtering."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2345 affects the air_filemanager extension version 0.6.0 and earlier within the TYPO3 content management system. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the platform to remote code execution attacks through inadequate input validation mechanisms. The issue stems from insufficient file filtering capabilities within the file management extension, creating a pathway for malicious actors to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. The vulnerability's unspecified nature indicates that the exact attack vectors remain partially obscured, but the core problem lies in the extension's failure to properly validate file types and content during upload operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input sanitization and access control measures. When users interact with the air_filemanager extension, the system should validate file extensions, content types, and file contents to prevent the execution of malicious code. However, the flawed implementation allows attackers to bypass these security checks through various methods that exploit the insufficient filtering mechanisms. This weakness enables remote attackers to upload PHP files containing malicious code, which then executes with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor within the TYPO3 installation that can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for organizations using affected TYPO3 installations. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the web application. The remote execution capability means attackers can perform actions such as data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage if their systems are compromised through this vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that TYPO3 is widely used for enterprise web applications where the exposure of such vulnerabilities can affect large user bases and critical business operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate attention and multiple layers of defense implementation. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of the air_filemanager extension that addresses the insufficient file filtering issue. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious file upload attempts, strict file type validation on the server side, and proper access controls for file management functions. Network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to file upload endpoints and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and may also relate to CWE-434, which covers unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control through web shell execution and privilege escalation through code injection, making it a significant concern for threat actors seeking persistent access to web applications.