CVE-2009-3628 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
The Backend subcomponent in TYPO3 4.0.13 and earlier, 4.1.x before 4.1.13, 4.2.x before 4.2.10, and 4.3.x before 4.3beta2 allows remote authenticated users to determine an encryption key via crafted input to a tt_content form element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3628 resides within the Backend subcomponent of TYPO3 content management systems, affecting versions up to 4.0.13, 4.1.x before 4.1.13, 4.2.x before 4.2.10, and 4.3.x before 4.3beta2. This represents a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to extract encryption keys through carefully constructed input parameters within the tt_content form element. The vulnerability specifically targets the cryptographic security mechanisms employed by TYPO3's backend administration interface, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data processed through the system.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the tt_content form element processing logic. When authenticated users submit crafted input through the backend interface, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the data before it is processed in cryptographic contexts. This inadequate validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the input in such a way that reveals information about the encryption keys used by the system. The vulnerability operates at the application level and leverages the trust relationship established between legitimate authenticated users and the TYPO3 backend, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on TYPO3 for their web content management needs. The extraction of encryption keys could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromise of user authentication mechanisms, and overall system integrity breaches. Attackers could use the extracted key information to decrypt communications, impersonate legitimate users, or escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects organizations that maintain TYPO3 installations with older versions, particularly those that have not implemented timely security updates or patches, creating a window of opportunity for exploitation.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data compromise to include potential lateral movement within network environments where TYPO3 systems are deployed. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which represents a fundamental weakness in input handling that can lead to various downstream security issues. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through credential access, as the vulnerability allows attackers to obtain cryptographic keys that could be used for further system compromise. Organizations should implement immediate patching strategies to address this vulnerability, while also reviewing their overall security posture to ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all application components.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of security patches released by TYPO3 for the affected versions, along with comprehensive security reviews of all backend input handling mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging for suspicious administrative activities, particularly around form submissions and cryptographic operations. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses across the entire application stack, and security awareness training should be provided to administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation controls to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the system.