CVE-2008-6343 in TU-Clausthal ODIN
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the TU-Clausthal ODIN (tuc_odin) extension 0.0.1, 0.1.0, 0.1.1, and 0.2.0 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2017
The CVE-2008-6343 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the TU-Clausthal ODIN extension for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the extension including 0.0.1, 0.1.0, 0.1.1, and 0.2.0, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these specific versions. The flaw resides in the extension's improper handling of user input, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into web pages viewed by other users. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE organization. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be exploited to hijack user sessions, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the TU-Clausthal ODIN extension. When users interact with the extension's functionality, particularly through parameters or form fields that are not properly sanitized, the malicious code gets embedded directly into the web page content. This occurs because the extension fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser context. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability may be present across multiple input points within the extension's codebase, making it particularly challenging to fully assess and mitigate. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6343 extends far beyond immediate script execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions and sensitive data within the TYPO3 environment. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can enable session hijacking attacks where attackers steal authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, which involves the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code. Organizations running affected versions of the TU-Clausthal ODIN extension face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potential complete compromise of their TYPO3 installations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors or deploy additional malware through the injected scripts, making it a critical concern for security teams responsible for protecting web applications and their associated data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6343 should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to patched versions of the TU-Clausthal ODIN extension, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms and output encoding practices throughout their TYPO3 installations to prevent similar issues in other components. Security measures including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their TYPO3 environments and ensure that all extensions are kept current with security patches. The implementation of proper security monitoring and incident response procedures is essential for detecting exploitation attempts and responding effectively to potential security breaches. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure that security updates are deployed promptly across all affected systems, thereby reducing the window of vulnerability exposure.