CVE-2008-4904 in Typo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the "Manage pages" feature (admin/pages) in Typo 5.1.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated users with "blog publisher" rights to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the search[published_at] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4904 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Typo content management system version 5.1.3 and earlier. This security weakness specifically targets the administrative "Manage pages" functionality accessible through the admin/pages endpoint, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for content management. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users with blog publisher privileges attempt to utilize the search functionality, particularly targeting the published_at parameter within the search[published_at] field. This particular attack vector demonstrates how insufficient input validation and sanitization can create persistent security risks within administrative interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the search[published_at] parameter, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql queries executed by the application backend. When an authenticated user with blog publisher rights submits malicious input through this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate protection mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the database query execution chain. This flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access with relatively low privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying levels of administrative access.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system. This capability enables a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, unauthorized database modifications, privilege escalation to administrative accounts, and potential system compromise through database-level attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations using Typo 5.1.3 or earlier versions, creating a persistent risk that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who have gained access to accounts with blog publisher privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface where users typically have elevated permissions, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges and gain full control over the content management system and associated data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to the latest available version of Typo that addresses this specific sql injection flaw. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms at all points where user-supplied data enters the application, particularly within administrative search functions. Security controls should be enhanced to enforce proper parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, aligning with recommended practices from the owasp top ten and the mitre ATT&CK framework for database exploitation techniques. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to a blog publisher account, they cannot easily escalate privileges or access critical system components. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.