CVE-2011-4614 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in Classes/Controller/AbstractController.php in the workspaces system extension in TYPO3 4.5.x before 4.5.9, 4.6.x before 4.6.2, and development versions of 4.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the BACK_PATH parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The CVE-2011-4614 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the TYPO3 content management system that specifically affects the workspaces system extension. This vulnerability exists in multiple TYPO3 version ranges including 4.5.x versions prior to 4.5.9, 4.6.x versions before 4.6.2, and development versions of 4.7. The flaw manifests in the Classes/Controller/AbstractController.php file where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the BACK_PATH parameter which is used within the TYPO3 workspaces system for administrative operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and injects it into this parameter, the vulnerable code fails to properly validate the input, allowing the system to include and execute remote PHP files. This represents a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that falls under the CWE-88 category for improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute code with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on affected TYPO3 installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify website content, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects not just individual websites but potentially entire TYPO3 installations that rely on the workspaces extension, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with multiple sites or complex TYPO3 deployments. The attack surface is further expanded as the vulnerability affects both stable and development versions, meaning even systems running the latest experimental builds remain at risk.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected TYPO3 versions to mitigate this vulnerability. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to the patched versions 4.5.9, 4.6.2, or later development releases. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file inclusion patterns and unauthorized code execution attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include and demonstrates the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their TYPO3 installations to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in the workspaces extension or related components that might provide similar attack vectors.