CVE-2009-4970 in T3m Affiliate
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the t3m_affiliate extension 0.5.0 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2018
The CVE-2009-4970 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the t3m_affiliate extension version 0.5.0 for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability exposes the web application to remote code execution risks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically affects the extension's handling of user-supplied data within sql query construction processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database operations. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments where the extension is deployed.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters that are directly incorporated into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization. When the t3m_affiliate extension processes user requests, it fails to validate or sanitize data that flows into database queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql fragments. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws. The attack vector typically involves manipulation of http parameters or form inputs that are subsequently processed by the vulnerable extension, enabling unauthorized database access and potential data manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4970 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially gaining read access to sensitive user data, modifying database records, or even escalating privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system like TYPO3 creates additional risks as the compromised database may contain not only affiliate-related information but also core system data, user credentials, and other sensitive organizational information. This exposure can lead to complete system takeover and persistent backdoor establishment.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of the t3m_affiliate extension or implementing proper sql query parameterization techniques. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable extensions within their TYPO3 installations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the execution and privilege escalation tactics, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches including network segmentation, regular patch management, and continuous monitoring of database access patterns to detect anomalous behavior indicative of sql injection attacks.