CVE-2011-1722 in WEC Discussion
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in WEC Discussion Forum (wec_discussion) extension 2.1.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors, as exploited in the wild in April 2011.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1722 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WEC Discussion Forum extension version 2.1.0 and earlier for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability emerged as part of a broader wave of attacks targeting web applications in 2011, with exploitation occurring in the wild during that period. The flaw specifically affects the wec_discussion extension, which is designed to provide discussion forum functionality within TYPO3 installations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications that rely on this particular extension.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the WEC Discussion Forum extension, where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through unspecified vectors within the extension's codebase. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user inputs, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL syntax. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1722 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain complete control over the affected database. This includes the ability to read, modify, or delete sensitive information, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and even complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation in the wild during April 2011 indicates that it was actively targeted by threat actors, demonstrating its severity and the potential for significant damage. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access confidential user data, manipulate forum content, or use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The impact is particularly severe for organizations using TYPO3 with the affected extension, as these installations would be directly vulnerable to remote code execution through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1722 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the TYPO3 community and extension developers. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to version 2.1.1 or later of the WEC Discussion Forum extension, which contains the necessary fixes to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries within the application code can serve as defensive measures, though these are secondary to the official patches. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring capabilities, though they should not be relied upon as the sole defense mechanism. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving SQL injection and command execution, with the attack chain typically beginning with reconnaissance and ending in persistence or data exfiltration. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and ensure comprehensive security posture maintenance.