CVE-2009-2106 in Virtual Civil Services
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Virtual Civil Services (civserv) extension 4.3.2 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2017
The CVE-2009-2106 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Virtual Civil Services extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions 4.3.2 and earlier, exposing web applications that utilize this extension to potential remote code execution attacks. The flaw resides in how the civserv extension processes user input without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector involves unspecified input handling mechanisms within the TYPO3 extension, suggesting that multiple entry points could be exploited. Attackers can construct malicious SQL statements that bypass authentication checks and directly manipulate database structures. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when application code concatenates user-supplied data directly into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input validation. The lack of proper input sanitization creates a persistent risk that can be exploited across various database backends supported by TYPO3.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using outdated TYPO3 extensions, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without authentication. The implications include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the database. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges to gain complete system control. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations running affected systems face significant compliance and security risks, as this vulnerability could result in regulatory violations and data protection breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2106 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected TYPO3 extension to version 4.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators must also implement input validation mechanisms at multiple layers of the application architecture to prevent unsanitized data from reaching database queries. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to eliminate SQL injection risks. Additionally, network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other extensions or components of the TYPO3 installation. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely updates of all third-party components and maintain awareness of security advisories from TYPO3 and extension developers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping all software components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper input sanitization and validation.