CVE-2010-5098 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FORM content object in TYPO3 4.2.x before 4.2.16, 4.3.x before 4.3.9, and 4.4.x before 4.4.5, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The CVE-2010-5098 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the TYPO3 content management system that affected multiple version branches including 4.2.x prior to 4.2.16, 4.3.x prior to 4.3.9, and 4.4.x prior to 4.4.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the FORM content object component of TYPO3, which is responsible for handling form-related functionality within the CMS framework. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's output, creating a persistent security risk that could be exploited by adversaries with valid user credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the FORM content object implementation. When authenticated users interact with form elements within TYPO3, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This insufficient sanitization creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors, suggesting that multiple attack paths exist within the form processing logic, potentially including form field inputs, configuration parameters, or data handling routines. The fact that this affects authenticated users indicates that the vulnerability requires legitimate access to the system, but does not necessitate administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts may be compromised.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5098 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise entire user sessions and facilitate further exploitation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject phishing content, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of affected user browsers. The implications are particularly severe given that TYPO3 installations often serve as content management platforms for organizations with significant digital presence, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for business continuity and user trust. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent untrusted data from being directly rendered without proper sanitization.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to versions 4.2.16, 4.3.9, and 4.4.5 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for the FORM content object XSS vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing proper input validation mechanisms, establishing robust output escaping procedures, and conducting comprehensive security testing of form handling components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious form submissions to detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and credential access through web application exploitation, making it a critical target for defensive measures and incident response planning. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats targeting content management systems.