CVE-2011-3583 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that Typo3 Core versions 4.5.0 - 4.5.5 uses prepared statements that, if the parameter values are not properly replaced, could lead to a SQL Injection vulnerability. This issue can only be exploited if two or more parameters are bound to the query and at least two come from user input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3583 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the TYPO3 content management system core versions 4.5.0 through 4.5.5. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of prepared statements where parameter values fail to be correctly substituted, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The flaw specifically manifests when multiple parameters are bound to a single query, with at least two of those parameters deriving from untrusted user input sources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a code injection technique where malicious SQL code is inserted into an execution query. In TYPO3's case, the prepared statement mechanism that should provide protection against SQL injection becomes ineffective when parameter replacement fails. This occurs because the system does not properly sanitize or validate the user-supplied parameters before binding them to the SQL query structure, allowing attackers to manipulate the query execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, or deletion. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could extract sensitive information from the database, modify content, or potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The requirement for at least two user input parameters means that the attack vector is more constrained than typical SQL injection scenarios, but this also makes detection more challenging as the vulnerability may not manifest in all query execution paths.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires careful crafting of input parameters that can manipulate the prepared statement execution flow. Attackers would need to identify queries that use multiple parameters and where at least two parameters originate from user-controllable sources. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameter binding practices in database interaction code. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, as the vulnerability involves manipulation of database query structures through application input handling.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to TYPO3 versions 4.5.6 or later where the prepared statement handling has been corrected. Organizations should also implement proper input validation routines that verify parameter values before binding them to database queries. Additionally, comprehensive code review processes should be implemented to ensure that prepared statement parameters are correctly replaced and validated. The fix for this vulnerability typically involves modifying the database abstraction layer to properly handle parameter substitution in all cases where multiple parameters are involved, ensuring that user input cannot interfere with the intended query structure.