CVE-2009-3631 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, when the DAM extension or ftp upload is enabled, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3631 represents a critical command injection flaw within the TYPO3 content management system that affects multiple version ranges including 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. This security weakness specifically targets the Backend subcomponent and becomes exploitable when either the DAM (Digital Asset Management) extension or ftp upload functionality is enabled within the system configuration. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-78 category of Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, which is a fundamental weakness in input validation that allows attackers to inject malicious commands into system processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of filename parameters that are subsequently processed by the backend system without proper sanitization. When authenticated users with appropriate privileges upload files through the DAM extension or ftp upload mechanisms, they can include shell metacharacters within the filename itself. These metacharacters, such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, are then interpreted by the underlying operating system when the system processes the filename, leading to arbitrary command execution. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate upload functionality to gain unauthorized system access, making it difficult to detect through normal security monitoring.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote authenticated attackers with complete control over the affected TYPO3 server. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute any command that the web server process has permissions to run, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is especially concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who have gained access to legitimate user accounts or administrative credentials can immediately leverage this flaw. This makes the attack surface broader than many other command injection vulnerabilities that require additional reconnaissance or privilege escalation steps.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of TYPO3, specifically versions 4.1.13, 4.2.10, and 4.3beta2 or later where the filename sanitization has been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should disable the DAM extension and ftp upload functionality if these features are not essential for business operations, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload patterns and command execution attempts, while input validation should be strengthened to properly sanitize all filename parameters. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to TA0002 Execution and TA0003 Persistence techniques, as attackers can use it to execute arbitrary commands and establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in security architecture, as it highlights how seemingly benign functionality can become a critical attack vector when proper sanitization is not implemented.