CVE-2009-3634 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Frontend Login Box (aka felogin) subcomponent in TYPO3 4.2.0 through 4.2.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3634 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Frontend Login Box component of TYPO3 content management system versions 4.2.0 through 4.2.6. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as an injection vulnerability that permits malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability exists in the frontend login functionality, which serves as a critical entry point for user authentication within TYPO3 installations, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the felogin subcomponent. Attackers can exploit unspecified parameters within the login form processing to inject malicious scripts that will execute when legitimate users interact with the affected TYPO3 installation. This type of vulnerability operates by manipulating the web application's handling of user-supplied data, where the application fails to properly sanitize or encode potentially dangerous input before rendering it in web pages. The vulnerability allows for both reflected and stored XSS conditions depending on how the malicious input is processed and stored within the application's data handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the TYPO3 system. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies containing session information, or even modify the login interface to capture user credentials. The vulnerability affects the core authentication functionality of TYPO3, making it a critical target for exploitation since successful attacks could lead to complete system compromise. The specific versions affected (4.2.0 through 4.2.6) indicate this was a targeted issue within a specific release cycle, highlighting the importance of timely patch management and version control in CMS security.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as the injected scripts could be used to execute further malicious activities. Organizations running affected TYPO3 versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions of TYPO3, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments of all frontend components. Additionally, organizations should establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unusual parameter patterns and implement proper security headers to mitigate the impact of potential XSS attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular security audits of web applications to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.