CVE-2008-5798 in Cms Poll System Extension
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the CMS Poll system (cms_poll) extension before 0.1.1 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2017
The CVE-2008-5798 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the cms_poll extension of TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 0.1.1 and exposes the system to remote code execution through unauthorized sql command injection. The cms_poll extension, designed to handle polling functionality within TYPO3 installations, contained insufficient input validation mechanisms that allowed malicious actors to manipulate sql queries through unspecified attack vectors. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of weak input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data, which are fundamental security principles that must be enforced in web applications to prevent unauthorized access and data manipulation. This flaw directly relates to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a critical weakness in application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the extension's failure to properly sanitize or escape user inputs before incorporating them into sql query structures. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input parameters that would be directly appended to sql statements without proper filtering or encoding. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the cms_poll extension could serve as attack surfaces, potentially including form fields, url parameters, or api endpoints that process poll-related data. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive database information, modify or delete records, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected TYPO3 environment. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5798 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential service disruption. Organizations running vulnerable TYPO3 installations with the cms_poll extension face significant risks including unauthorized access to confidential information stored in the database, data corruption or deletion, and potential use of the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability could allow attackers to gain administrative access to the TYPO3 backend, enabling them to modify website content, create new user accounts, or install malicious software. This particular weakness aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack technique matrix under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to credential access and privilege escalation techniques that leverage application-level vulnerabilities. The long-term implications include potential regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses from data breaches or service interruptions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5798 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to the cms_poll extension beyond version 0.1.1 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all TYPO3 extensions remain current with security updates. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, limiting the potential damage from successful exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, conducting regular security assessments of the TYPO3 installation, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized database access patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates how even minor extension components can introduce significant security risks to enterprise web platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and regular penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.