CVE-2009-4162 in wfqbe
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the DB Integration (wfqbe) extension 1.3.1 and earlier for TYPO3 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4162 represents a critical security flaw within the DB Integration extension known as wfqbe version 1.3.1 and earlier components running on the TYPO3 content management platform. This unspecified vulnerability creates a potential attack vector that enables local users to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the web application environment. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the extension's codebase, which fails to properly handle user-supplied data that could be manipulated to trigger unintended system behaviors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common command injection flaws that fall under CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, where insufficient validation of input data allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed within the system context. The wfqbe extension, designed for database integration purposes, likely processes user inputs through database query interfaces that do not adequately sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as command delimiters or execution triggers. Local privilege escalation scenarios become particularly dangerous as attackers with limited access can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated system privileges and execute arbitrary code with the permissions of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, install malware, or conduct further reconnaissance activities against other systems within the network infrastructure. The local execution aspect suggests that the vulnerability may be exploitable through existing user accounts or services that have access to the TYPO3 installation, making it particularly concerning for organizations with less robust access controls or those running multiple applications on shared infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by upgrading to the latest version of the wfqbe extension or implementing appropriate patches provided by the TYPO3 security team. Security configurations should include enhanced input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent command injection attempts. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 command and scripting interpreter techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both the specific vulnerability and broader attack surface reduction strategies. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other extensions or components that may present analogous command execution risks.