CVE-2008-3043 in WEC Discussion Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the WEC Discussion Forum (wec_discussion) extension 1.6.2 and earlier for TYPO3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to "certain file types."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3043 affects the WEC Discussion Forum extension version 1.6.2 and earlier within the TYPO3 content management system ecosystem. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks through improper handling of file type validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the extension's processing of certain file types, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized control over affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the WEC Discussion Forum extension. When users upload or interact with specific file types through the forum interface, the extension fails to properly validate the file content and extensions, allowing malicious files to bypass security checks. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged by attackers to upload malicious code that executes with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using TYPO3 with the affected WEC Discussion Forum extension. Attackers can exploit this weakness to upload backdoors, web shells, or other malicious payloads that provide persistent access to compromised systems. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. Given that TYPO3 is widely used for enterprise content management, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability is substantial, affecting numerous organizations across various sectors including government, healthcare, and financial services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version of the WEC Discussion Forum extension, applying the latest TYPO3 security patches, and implementing strict file upload restrictions. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious file upload activities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected extension and ensure proper access controls are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and secure coding practices to prevent such exploitation vectors. Regular security audits and application security testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party extensions and custom code implementations.