CVE-2008-6458 in FE address edit
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the FE address edit for tt_address & direct mail (dmaddredit) extension 0.4.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2017
The CVE-2008-6458 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the tt_address and direct mail extension for TYPO3 content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 0.4.0 and earlier of the dmaddredit extension, which is commonly used for managing address data and direct mail functionality within TYPO3 installations. The flaw resides in the frontend address editing component where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. This oversight creates a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database through crafted input parameters that are directly embedded into sql command structures without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations identified in the cwe database under cwe-89, which categorizes sql injection flaws as a fundamental security weakness in software applications. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the lack of proper input sanitization in the extension's frontend editing interface where users can modify address information. When legitimate users attempt to edit address records through the frontend, their input is processed without sufficient security controls, allowing malicious actors to inject sql payload strings that bypass normal security boundaries. This creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as sql syntax rather than simple data, enabling unauthorized database access and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary sql commands against the TYPO3 database, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, modifying address records, or even escalating privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to perform data manipulation, information disclosure, and potentially establish persistent access points within the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6458 should prioritize immediate patching of affected TYPO3 installations to version 0.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation and output escaping mechanisms at multiple layers of their application architecture to prevent similar issues in other components. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to eliminate sql injection vectors. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction practices as outlined in various security frameworks including the owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines.