CVE-2011-4630 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 browse_links wizard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2011-4630 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in 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 browse_links wizard functionality which is a core component used for managing and linking content within the TYPO3 administrative interface. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code through the wizard's input handling mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk for affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the browse_links wizard's insufficient input validation and output encoding processes. When users interact with the wizard to select or reference content, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it back to the browser. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script tags, javascript code, or other HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack vector where the malicious payload is stored and then executed when other users access the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate content, and potentially escalate privileges within the TYPO3 administrative environment. Attackers could craft malicious links that, when clicked by administrators or other users, would execute unauthorized commands or steal cookies and authentication tokens. The widespread use of TYPO3 across various organizations makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect numerous websites and web applications that rely on this CMS for content management. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which represents "Cross-site Scripting" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Social Engineering" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript".
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the security patches released by TYPO3 for the respective version branches, ensuring that all systems are updated to the patched versions. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security reviews of their TYPO3 installations, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring for suspicious activity in the browse_links wizard functionality and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the CMS. Organizations should also establish proper security awareness training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential XSS attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive input sanitization processes in web applications.