CVE-2011-4628 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 before 4.3.12, 4.4.x before 4.4.9, and 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms in the backend through a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4628 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting TYPO3 content management systems across multiple version ranges including versions prior to 4.3.12, 4.4.x prior to 4.4.9, and 4.5.x before 4.5.4. This vulnerability resides within the backend authentication mechanisms of the TYPO3 platform, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this CMS for their web infrastructure. The flaw enables remote attackers to circumvent the standard authentication procedures without requiring valid credentials, effectively granting unauthorized access to administrative functions and sensitive system controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication tokens and session handling within the TYPO3 backend interface. Attackers can craft specially formatted HTTP requests that manipulate the authentication flow, allowing them to access restricted administrative areas without proper authorization. This type of flaw typically involves weaknesses in input sanitization and session management that permit attackers to forge or manipulate authentication parameters. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring local system access or prior authentication. The authentication bypass occurs during the backend request processing, where the system fails to properly validate the legitimacy of the authentication tokens presented by the requesting user.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4628 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete administrative control over affected TYPO3 installations. Successful exploitation allows attackers to modify website content, add malicious code, create new user accounts, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper system control. Organizations running vulnerable TYPO3 versions face significant risks including data breaches, website defacement, and potential compromise of entire web infrastructures. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of web applications, as unauthorized parties can manipulate backend configurations and access protected administrative functions. This type of authentication bypass vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising both authentication mechanisms and access controls that protect system resources.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official TYPO3 patches and updates. The affected versions should be upgraded to patched releases immediately, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious authentication attempts and unauthorized access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, enforcing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities. System administrators should also review and audit existing access logs for signs of exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could remain undetected for extended periods if proper monitoring is not in place.