CVE-2010-3670 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 before 4.3.4 and 4.4.x before 4.4.1 contains insecure randomness during generation of a hash with the "forgot password" function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3670 affects TYPO3 content management systems prior to specific versions, creating a critical security weakness in the password recovery mechanism. This issue resides within the "forgot password" functionality where the system generates cryptographic hashes using insufficiently random data. The flaw represents a significant deviation from proper cryptographic practices and undermines the security assurances typically expected from authentication recovery processes. The vulnerability specifically impacts TYPO3 versions 4.3.3 and earlier, as well as 4.4.x versions before 4.4.1, making a substantial portion of the TYPO3 user base susceptible to exploitation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the use of predictable or weak random number generation during hash creation for password reset tokens. When users request password recovery, the system generates a unique hash value that serves as the reset link identifier. However, the random number generator employed in this process lacks sufficient entropy and cryptographic strength, resulting in hashes that can be easily predicted or brute-forced by attackers. This weakness directly violates fundamental cryptographic principles and represents a classic example of poor entropy implementation in security-critical functions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-330, which specifically addresses the use of insufficiently random values in cryptographic contexts, making it particularly dangerous for authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a pathway for unauthorized account access and potential system compromise. Attackers can exploit this weakness to predict reset tokens and gain access to user accounts without proper authentication, potentially leading to full system compromise if user accounts have elevated privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that password recovery mechanisms are often targeted by threat actors due to their inherent trust relationship with legitimate users. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and system exploitation, as the predictable nature of the hashes enables automated attacks against multiple accounts. The impact is amplified in environments where users share common password patterns or where administrative accounts are targeted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate version upgrades to TYPO3 4.3.4 or 4.4.1 and later releases, which contain the necessary cryptographic improvements. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as rate limiting on password reset requests, account lockout mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious reset activity. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing proper cryptographic random number generation that meets industry standards for security-sensitive operations. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all TYPO3 installations are updated and monitor for any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to handle potential account takeovers and implement comprehensive logging of authentication events to detect anomalous behavior patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor security flaws can have significant operational consequences.