CVE-2009-4950 in A21glossary Advanced Output
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the A21glossary Advanced Output (a21glossary_advanced_output) extension before 0.1.12 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2018
The CVE-2009-4950 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the A21glossary Advanced Output extension for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 0.1.12 and exposes the system to remote code execution through unspecified attack vectors that manipulate database queries. The flaw resides in how user input is processed and integrated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code directly into the database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the extension's query construction logic. When TYPO3 processes requests through the a21glossary_advanced_output module, user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or parameter binding mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that alters the intended query structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents, modifying sensitive information, or executing destructive operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms and privilege escalation capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract administrative credentials, modify content management configurations, or establish backdoor access points within the TYPO3 environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that TYPO3 installations often contain sensitive organizational data, making this vulnerability a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise web applications. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the extension could be exploited, increasing the attack surface and making defensive measures more challenging to implement.
Organizations utilizing affected TYPO3 versions should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the extension has been updated to version 0.1.12 to resolve the SQL injection issues. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation, implementation of parameterized queries, and regular security audits of third-party extensions. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of defense. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and privilege escalation, as attackers can use the SQL injection to gain elevated database privileges and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and database user permissions to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.