CVE-2009-4951 in Alternet Csa Out
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the ClickStream Analyzer [output] (alternet_csa_out) extension 0.3.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4951 affects the ClickStream Analyzer extension for TYPO3 content management system, specifically version 0.3.0 and earlier. This represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw within a web application component that processes user interaction data. The ClickStream Analyzer extension is designed to track and analyze user behavior on websites built with TYPO3, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to extract confidential operational data. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the exact attack mechanism remains unclear, but the impact encompasses unauthorized access to sensitive information through remote exploitation capabilities. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure issues that can significantly compromise system security and user privacy.
The technical flaw manifests within the extension's handling of data processing and output generation functions, where inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms allow unauthorized remote entities to extract information that should remain protected. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and potentially CWE-284, which covers inadequate access control mechanisms. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain access to user behavior patterns, session data, or other operational information that could be leveraged for further attacks or to compromise user privacy. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system and can target the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it could enable attackers to gather intelligence about user interactions with the website, potentially revealing sensitive operational patterns or user preferences. This information could be used for social engineering attacks, targeted phishing campaigns, or to understand system usage patterns for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability also represents a potential gateway for attackers to escalate their privileges or access other system components that may not be directly exposed through the ClickStream Analyzer extension. Organizations using affected TYPO3 installations could face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if user data is compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4951 should prioritize immediate patching of the TYPO3 ClickStream Analyzer extension to the latest available version that addresses the information disclosure flaw. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the extension's functionality and consider disabling the extension entirely if it is not critical to operations. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other TYPO3 extensions, as the platform has historically been susceptible to such issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, with recommendations to follow the principle of least privilege and implement comprehensive logging of extension activities. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, following the ATT&CK framework's guidance on credential access and defense evasion techniques can help in identifying and mitigating potential exploitation vectors that leverage such information disclosure vulnerabilities.