CVE-2008-5797 in advCalendar extension
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the advCalendar extension 0.3.1 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2017
The CVE-2008-5797 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the advCalendar extension version 0.3.1 and earlier for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability exists in the extension's handling of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql commands through unspecified input vectors within the extension's functionality. The vulnerability specifically affects the advCalendar extension which is commonly used for calendar management within TYPO3 installations, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this cms platform for their web presence.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the advCalendar extension processes user-supplied data that gets concatenated directly into sql statements without appropriate input filtering or parameterized query construction. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft sql payloads that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the underlying database. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple entry points within the extension's codebase, potentially including calendar event creation, modification, or viewing functions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands which may result in data extraction, modification, or deletion from the database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the affected TYPO3 installation. Database administrators may find themselves unable to distinguish between legitimate and malicious sql traffic, leading to potential data loss or unauthorized modifications to calendar events and related information. Organizations using affected versions of the advCalendar extension face significant risk of unauthorized data access, potential service disruption, and possible compliance violations if sensitive information is exposed through this vulnerability. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the system.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the advCalendar extension or implement temporary mitigations such as input validation rules and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input sanitization and parameterized query usage. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the attack technique of code injection within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, potentially leading to privilege escalation and data access phases in the attack lifecycle. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their TYPO3 installations to identify other potentially vulnerable extensions and ensure all components are running patched versions to prevent similar exploitation opportunities.