CVE-2008-6144 in WEC Discussion Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WEC Discussion Forum (wec_discussion) extension 1.7.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different issue than CVE-2008-3029.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2017
The CVE-2008-6144 vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the WEC Discussion Forum extension for TYPO3 content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 1.7.0 and earlier, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks against users of affected systems. The vulnerability falls under the category of persistent XSS attacks, where malicious scripts can be injected into web applications and subsequently executed in the contexts of other users who access the compromised content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the WEC Discussion Forum extension. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then stored within the application's database or content management system. When other users view the affected pages or forums, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability may exist across multiple input points within the extension's functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through various user interaction methods.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6144 extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security integrity of TYPO3 installations using the vulnerable extension. Organizations running affected systems face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to user sessions, and possible compromise of entire web applications. The vulnerability's persistence means that once exploited, the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed, creating ongoing security risks for all users who interact with the compromised forum content. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where discussion forums often contain sensitive information and user credentials.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique, specifically falling under the T1190 category for Exploit Public-Facing Application. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected TYPO3 installations to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability has been known for over a decade and multiple mitigation strategies exist. The recommended approach includes upgrading to the latest version of the WEC Discussion Forum extension, implementing proper input sanitization measures, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and other defensive measures to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks even when other protections fail.