CVE-2011-3642 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Flowplayer Flash 3.2.7 through 3.2.16, as used in the News system (news) extension for TYPO3 and Mahara, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the plugin configuration directive in a reference to an external domain plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3642 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Flowplayer Flash versions 3.2.7 through 3.2.16 when integrated with TYPO3 and Mahara content management systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of plugin configuration parameters, specifically within the reference directive that permits external domain plugin references. The flaw creates a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected web applications, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, making it a classic example of client-side injection attacks that can be exploited through web browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Flowplayer Flash player processes external plugin configurations without adequate validation of the referenced domains or content. Attackers can craft malicious plugin references that include script tags or other HTML content, which then gets executed when legitimate users view pages containing the vulnerable player. The attack vector specifically targets the plugin configuration directive, where external domain references are accepted without proper sanitization. This allows adversaries to inject malicious code that can capture user credentials, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects not only the core Flowplayer functionality but also extends to the News system extensions in TYPO3 and Mahara platforms, creating widespread impact across multiple web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3642 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise entire user sessions and web application integrity. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, or injecting malicious content that persists across user sessions. The vulnerability's presence in widely used content management systems like TYPO3 and Mahara amplifies its potential impact, as these platforms often serve as foundational components for numerous websites and web applications. Organizations using these systems may experience unauthorized data access, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack can be executed through simple URL manipulation or by crafting malicious plugin references that appear legitimate to users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3642 should focus on immediate patching of affected Flowplayer versions to 3.2.17 or later, which contain the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations must also implement strict input validation policies for all external plugin references, ensuring that domain names and content paths are properly sanitized before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by filtering malicious content before it reaches vulnerable applications. The implementation of content security policies (CSP) can further limit the execution of unauthorized scripts by restricting the sources from which content can be loaded. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual plugin configuration patterns or attempts to reference external domains. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for spearphishing with attachments, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls across multiple attack vectors.