CVE-2011-4629 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in TYPO3 before 4.3.12, 4.4.x before 4.4.9, and 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the admin panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4629 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the TYPO3 content management system that affected multiple version branches including 4.3.x before 4.3.12, 4.4.x before 4.4.9, and 4.5.x before 4.5.4. This vulnerability resides in the admin panel functionality and enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the TYPO3 administrative components, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise user sessions or deliver harmful content to unsuspecting visitors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to manipulate parameters or input fields within the admin panel interface, which are then reflected back to users without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent vector for malicious code execution that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be exploited to establish a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the web application environment.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for TYPO3 installations, particularly those with administrative users who regularly access the backend panel. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete account compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized modifications to the website content. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, it can maintain its effectiveness across multiple user sessions until the underlying code is patched. Organizations running affected TYPO3 versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments where sensitive information is managed through the CMS.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4629 primarily involve immediate patching of affected TYPO3 installations to the recommended versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating all TYPO3 instances to versions 4.3.12, 4.4.9, or 4.5.4 respectively, as these releases contain the appropriate input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the XSS exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust content security policies, enabling proper input sanitization at all entry points, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and credential access, as attackers can leverage the XSS to establish persistent access and escalate privileges within the compromised system.