CVE-2008-6695 in Timtab Sociable
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in TIMTAB social bookmark icons (timtab_sociable) 2.0.4 and earlier extension for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2017
The CVE-2008-6695 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the timtab_sociable extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions 2.0.4 and earlier, making it a long-standing security issue that could have been exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to database systems. The timtab_sociable extension is designed to provide social bookmarking icons on websites built with TYPO3, but the implementation contained a dangerous flaw that allowed malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the extension's database interaction code. When users interact with the social bookmarking functionality, the extension processes user-provided data without proper escaping or parameterization of sql queries. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious sql code through unspecified input vectors, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it represents a fundamental security failure in the TYPO3 extension ecosystem. Remote attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the website's database, potentially accessing user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data stored within the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the timtab_sociable extension is commonly used across various websites, meaning a single vulnerability could affect multiple organizations simultaneously. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in applications to gain unauthorized access. Organizations running affected TYPO3 installations would face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations depending on the type of data stored in their databases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations to upgrade to patched versions of the timtab_sociable extension. System administrators should ensure they are running the latest version of the extension that addresses the sql injection flaw, as well as implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their TYPO3 installations to identify other potentially vulnerable extensions or components. The remediation process should include database access logging, monitoring for suspicious activities, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent sql injection attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should become standard practice to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing database security measures such as least privilege access controls and regular database audits to minimize the potential impact of any future sql injection vulnerabilities.