CVE-2010-4887 in commentsbe
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Commenting system Backend Module (commentsbe) extension 0.0.2 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2019
The CVE-2010-4887 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Commenting system Backend Module extension for TYPO3 content management platform. This vulnerability affects versions 0.0.2 and earlier of the commentsbe extension, creating a significant security risk for TYPO3 installations that utilize this commenting functionality. The flaw exists in the backend module component of the extension, which processes user comments and handles database interactions for comment management operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the backend module's database query construction logic. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input through unspecified vectors that ultimately get processed into SQL commands without proper parameterization or escaping. This allows remote threat actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account under which the TYPO3 application operates. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation within the application, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The backend nature of the module means that exploitation could potentially provide attackers with administrative access to comment management features, which might serve as a stepping stone for broader system compromise. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is categorized as a high-risk weakness in the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that TYPO3 installations often contain sensitive organizational data and user information. The fact that this affects a backend module means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate comment data, potentially creating false narratives or removing legitimate comments to disrupt service. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the commentsbe extension to version 0.0.3 or later, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all TYPO3 extensions. Additionally, network segmentation and database access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques for credential access and defense evasion. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.