CVE-2008-6685 in Air Filemanager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Frontend Filemanager (air_filemanager) 0.6.1 and earlier extension for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6685 affects the Frontend Filemanager extension version 0.6.1 and earlier within the TYPO3 content management system. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the system to remote command execution attacks, potentially allowing malicious actors to gain unauthorized control over the affected server infrastructure. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the underlying flaw may involve multiple attack surfaces or implementation weaknesses within the file management extension that were not fully documented at the time of reporting.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the air_filemanager extension. When processing user-supplied data through file management operations, the extension fails to properly validate or escape parameters that could be manipulated by remote attackers. This deficiency creates an environment where malicious inputs can be interpreted and executed as system commands, bypassing normal security controls and access restrictions. The vulnerability operates at the application level, targeting the extension's file handling capabilities rather than underlying system components, making it particularly dangerous for web-based content management environments where file operations are frequently performed.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for organizations utilizing affected TYPO3 installations. Remote attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The attack surface extends beyond simple command execution to include potential privilege escalation opportunities, as attackers might gain access to sensitive system resources or administrative functions. Organizations running these vulnerable extensions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where TYPO3 serves as a critical web infrastructure component.
The security implications of CVE-2008-6685 align with common weaknesses documented in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog, specifically relating to command injection vulnerabilities and improper input validation. This vulnerability pattern corresponds to CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, which address command injection and improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The attack vectors associated with this flaw also map to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, where adversaries leverage application-level vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through extension updates or complete removal of the vulnerable component, as the lack of specific exploit details does not diminish the critical nature of this security gap. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, access controls, and regular security assessments can help mitigate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the TYPO3 ecosystem.