CVE-2010-3674 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 before 4.4.1 allows XSS in the frontend search box.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3674 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in TYPO3 content management systems prior to version 4.4.1, specifically affecting the frontend search functionality. This issue resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms and demonstrates a classic security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability affects the core TYPO3 framework's search box implementation, which fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in the browser context. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security vulnerabilities according to the CWE database maintained by the MITRE corporation. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when users enter specially crafted input into the frontend search box of a TYPO3 website. The application does not adequately filter or escape the search query parameters before displaying them in the search results page or search box itself. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view the search results or interact with the search interface. The flaw exists in the HTML output generation process where user-provided content is directly embedded into web pages without proper sanitization. The attack vector is particularly concerning because search functionality is typically one of the most frequently used features on websites, making it an attractive target for exploitation. This vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including but not limited to injecting script tags, event handlers, or other malicious payloads that leverage the browser's interpretation of HTML and JavaScript. The attack follows standard XSS patterns where the malicious payload is stored or reflected in the application's response, creating a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3674 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to serious security consequences for websites running vulnerable TYPO3 versions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface content management systems, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of web applications, potentially compromising user data and system availability. Organizations using affected TYPO3 versions face risks of reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to data breaches or unauthorized access to their systems. The vulnerability also impacts the overall security posture of web applications by demonstrating poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and incident response planning, as it represents a fundamental flaw in web application security that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to user sessions or manipulate web content. The vulnerability's exploitation can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise through the exploitation of additional vulnerabilities in the application stack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3674 involve immediate patching of affected TYPO3 installations to version 4.4.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls that filter or escape special characters in search queries before rendering them in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Web Application Firewalls can be configured to detect and block suspicious search query patterns that may indicate attempted XSS exploitation. The security community should also consider implementing proper output encoding practices for all user-provided content, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies. Organizations must maintain up-to-date security patches and monitor for similar vulnerabilities in their web applications, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern that may exist in other CMS platforms or web applications with similar input handling mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for script injection, emphasizing the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding as defensive measures.