CVE-2010-0329 in powermail
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the powermail extension 1.5.1 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors related to the "SQL selection field" and "typoscript."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2019
The CVE-2010-0329 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the powermail extension version 1.5.1 and earlier for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability resides in the extension's handling of database queries and specifically affects the "SQL selection field" and "typoscript" components that are integral to the extension's functionality. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input that bypasses normal security controls, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the powermail extension's database interaction mechanisms. When the extension processes user input through the SQL selection field or Typoscript configurations, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could alter the intended sql query structure. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that executes with the privileges of the web application's database user account. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core database interaction components that powermail relies on for processing form submissions and managing user data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using TYPO3 with the affected powermail extension. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive data from the database, including user credentials, personal information, and system configuration details. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially disrupting service availability and compromising data integrity. Given that powermail is commonly used for handling sensitive form submissions, the potential for data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where privacy regulations apply.
The attack surface for CVE-2010-0329 aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including execution through sql injection techniques and credential access via database compromise. This vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation measures, including parameterized queries and proper escaping of user-supplied data, to mitigate this risk. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management processes are essential for maintaining protection against known vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for thorough security testing of third-party extensions before deployment in production environments.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the powermail extension to version 1.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection attempts, conduct regular security assessments of installed extensions, and establish monitoring procedures for unusual database activities. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure the web application uses accounts with minimal required privileges, and input validation should be strengthened across all user-facing interfaces. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in content management systems and web applications.