CVE-2009-4966 in Ast Addresszipsearch
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the AST ZipCodeSearch (ast_addresszipsearch) extension 0.5.4 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2018
The CVE-2009-4966 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the AST ZipCodeSearch extension version 0.5.4 for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability exposes the web application to remote code execution risks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw exists in how the extension processes user-supplied data, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted inputs that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input parameters within the zip code search functionality. When users enter zip code data into the search interface, the extension fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into sql queries. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that can manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct parameter manipulation, cookie tampering, or header injection techniques that leverage the extension's query processing mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing TYPO3 with the affected extension. Remote attackers can potentially extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and database contents without authentication. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise through database manipulation, privilege escalation, and service disruption. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and reputational damage if exploited successfully. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to initiate attacks.
Security mitigations for CVE-2009-4966 should prioritize immediate patching of the AST ZipCodeSearch extension to version 0.5.5 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries and input sanitization throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection weakness classification and maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.3 for application layer protocols. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack.