CVE-2009-4959 in T3M
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the T3M E-Mail Marketing Tool (t3m) extension 0.2.4 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The CVE-2009-4959 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the T3M E-Mail Marketing Tool extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions 0.2.4 and earlier, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing TYPO3 platforms with this specific extension. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the extension's database interaction mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious SQL code through unspecified attack vectors. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where database access is involved, as it can enable attackers to extract, modify, or delete critical data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software systems. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the intended query execution flow. In the context of TYPO3's extension architecture, this flaw likely occurs when user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL statements without appropriate sanitization measures. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple input points within the t3m extension could serve as entry points for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully assess and mitigate. This vulnerability class is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as part of the SQL Injection technique, specifically targeting the execution of malicious SQL commands through web application interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4959 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to organizational databases. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical information stored within the TYPO3 database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. Organizations using affected versions of the T3M extension face potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through database-level backdoors or to escalate privileges within the system. Given that TYPO3 is a widely-used open-source content management system, the potential impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous organizations and industries that rely on its platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4959 must focus on immediate remediation through version updates and comprehensive input validation implementation. The primary and most effective mitigation involves upgrading to a patched version of the T3M extension that addresses the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization techniques including parameterized queries, prepared statements, and comprehensive data validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered a replacement for proper code-level fixes. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining vulnerable components within the TYPO3 installation. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to database commands, their privileges remain restricted to minimize impact.