CVE-2010-4068 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Extension Manager in TYPO3 4.2.x before 4.2.15, 4.3.x before 4.3.7, and 4.4.x before 4.4.4 allows remote authenticated administrators to read and possibly modify arbitrary files via a crafted parameter, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-3714.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4068 represents a critical security flaw within the TYPO3 content management system's Extension Manager component. This issue affects multiple version ranges including 4.2.x prior to 4.2.15, 4.3.x prior to 4.3.7, and 4.4.x prior to 4.4.4, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing these older TYPO3 releases. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated administrators who possess administrative privileges within the TYPO3 system, creating a significant risk when these accounts are compromised or when administrators are tricked into performing malicious actions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Extension Manager's parameter handling mechanism. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious parameters that manipulate the file system access controls. When an authenticated administrator interacts with the Extension Manager and processes these specially crafted parameters, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file operations. This lack of proper validation creates a path for arbitrary file read and modification capabilities, allowing attackers to potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even inject malicious code into the web application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations running affected TYPO3 installations. The ability to read arbitrary files means attackers can potentially access database credentials, configuration files containing sensitive information, or even retrieve source code that might reveal additional vulnerabilities. The modification capability further amplifies the threat, as attackers could alter core system files, inject backdoors, or corrupt the application's functionality. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. The fact that it requires only authenticated access makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained administrative credentials through other means.
Organizations should immediately prioritize patching their TYPO3 installations to versions 4.2.15, 4.3.7, and 4.4.4 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging around the Extension Manager functionality to detect any suspicious parameter usage patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would typically be categorized under the privilege escalation and data exposure categories in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, potentially enabling later stages of attack such as lateral movement or persistence within the compromised environment.