CVE-2009-4392 in XDS Staff
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the XDS Staff List (xds_staff) extension 0.0.3 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2017
The CVE-2009-4392 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the XDS Staff List extension version 0.0.3 and earlier for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw exists in the extension's handling of user input within database queries, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects a widely used CMS platform where extensions often handle sensitive organizational data, including staff information, contact details, and potentially confidential personnel records.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the XDS Staff List extension's database interaction mechanisms. Attackers can manipulate the extension's query construction process by injecting malicious SQL code through input fields that are not properly sanitized or validated. The vulnerability's nature suggests that the extension fails to implement proper input validation and parameterized query construction, allowing attackers to append or modify SQL commands that are then executed by the underlying database engine. This type of injection flaw typically occurs when user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL statements without adequate escaping or parameterization, creating an attack surface where malicious code can be interpreted as part of the database command rather than as data.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4392 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary database commands on the affected TYPO3 installation. This level of access enables potential data manipulation, unauthorized data extraction, and in severe cases, complete database compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on TYPO3 for their web presence, particularly those using the XDS Staff List extension to manage employee directories and organizational information. Given that the extension was designed to display staff information, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personnel data, potentially including personal identification details, contact information, and internal communication data that organizations consider confidential.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term prevention strategies. The primary fix involves upgrading to a patched version of the XDS Staff List extension that properly implements input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization measures, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries throughout their TYPO3 installations. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which addresses exploitation of remote services. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database query monitoring can provide additional defense in depth, though the most effective solution remains the immediate patching of the vulnerable extension and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent similar injection vulnerabilities in other parts of the application stack.