CVE-2008-2452 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Questionaire (aka pbsurvey) extension 1.2.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2018
The CVE-2008-2452 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Questionaire extension for TYPO3 content management system, specifically affecting versions 1.2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses identified in the CWE database. The vulnerability exists within the pbsurvey extension that handles questionnaire functionality, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on TYPO3 for their web presence and data collection processes.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the extension's codebase. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors within the questionnaire functionality. These vectors likely include form inputs, parameter handling, or user-generated content fields that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user sessions and access sensitive information. When users interact with compromised questionnaire forms, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to unauthorized access to personal data, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it a prime target for automated attacks. Organizations using affected TYPO3 versions are exposed to potential data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and operational consequences.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the pbsurvey extension to version 1.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, output encoding, and content security policies to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date web applications and highlights the need for regular security assessments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage XSS to deliver malicious payloads and establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injection patterns, while ensuring that all TYPO3 installations undergo regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild.