CVE-2008-6340 in Mv Vox Populi
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Vox populi (mv_vox_populi) extension 0.3.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2017
The CVE-2008-6340 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Vox populi extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions 0.3.0 and earlier, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on TYPO3 for their web presence. The flaw resides in the extension's improper handling of user input, specifically within the mv_vox_populi module that processes user-generated content for display on web pages. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or session hijacking.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the TYPO3 extension's processing mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then stored or processed by the extension and subsequently rendered to unsuspecting users. The unspecified vectors indicate that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple input points including form submissions, URL parameters, or user profile data within the extension's functionality. This broad attack surface increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where user interaction is common.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. Organizations using affected TYPO3 versions with the Vox populi extension face potential data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations. The vulnerability particularly affects websites that rely heavily on user-generated content or community features, as these environments provide multiple entry points for malicious input. Security professionals must consider the broader implications for web application security, as XSS vulnerabilities often serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6340 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected TYPO3 extension to version 0.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, following established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CWE-79. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other extensions or custom code. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.002 for command and script injection, and CWE-79 for cross-site scripting, demonstrating the need for robust application security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing proper security monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.