CVE-2010-5102 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in mod/tools/em/class.em_unzip.php in the unzip library 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 attackers to write arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The CVE-2010-5102 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the TYPO3 content management system's unzip library implementation. This vulnerability exists in the mod/tools/em/class.em_unzip.php file and affects multiple TYPO3 versions including 4.2.x series before 4.2.16, 4.3.x series before 4.3.9, and 4.4.x series before 4.4.5. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the unzip functionality that processes archive files through the TYPO3 extension manager. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate file paths during extraction operations, potentially allowing them to write files to arbitrary locations on the server filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that typically involve manipulating archive file contents or extraction parameters to bypass normal file path restrictions. When TYPO3 processes compressed files through its unzip library, the flawed implementation fails to properly validate or sanitize the file paths contained within archive structures. This allows attackers to inject malicious path sequences that can traverse directories and write files outside of intended target locations. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. Such flaws enable attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized file creation, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5102 extends beyond simple file system manipulation to encompass potential complete system compromise. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can write arbitrary files to the web server's filesystem, potentially creating backdoor scripts, modifying existing application files, or injecting malicious code into the TYPO3 installation. This capability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, complete system takeover, or further exploitation through privilege escalation vectors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where TYPO3 is used for content management, as attackers could modify web pages, inject malicious code, or establish persistent access points through the compromised unzip functionality. The attack surface is significant since the vulnerability affects the extension manager's unzip library, which is commonly used for installing and managing TYPO3 extensions, making it a prime target for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5102 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading affected TYPO3 installations to versions 4.2.16, 4.3.9, or 4.4.5 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewalls and access control lists to limit access to the TYPO3 extension manager functionality and unzip operations. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application code, and server configuration levels. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file creation patterns or unauthorized file system modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper path validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code through file manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning and regular security assessments to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications.