CVE-2011-4632 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 tcemain flash message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4632 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the TYPO3 content management system that affects 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 in the tcemain flash message handling mechanism which is a core component responsible for displaying system messages and user feedback within the TYPO3 administrative interface. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML content through improperly sanitized input parameters, creating a persistent security risk for TYPO3 installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the tcemain module's message handling system. When TYPO3 processes flash messages for display in the backend interface, it fails to properly escape or filter user-controllable data that gets rendered directly into the HTML output. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the administrative interface where users with appropriate privileges interact with the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access or manipulate system functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4632 extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a vector for more sophisticated attacks within the TYPO3 ecosystem. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious JavaScript code that could steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even escalate privileges within the TYPO3 administration interface. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams indicates a fundamental flaw in the input sanitization process that affected a significant portion of TYPO3 installations during that period. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, representing one of the most common and dangerous web application security vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Attackers could craft malicious flash messages that would be displayed to administrators, potentially leading to session hijacking or privilege escalation. The remediation approach for this vulnerability required immediate patching of affected TYPO3 versions to implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations were advised to upgrade to the patched versions 4.3.12, 4.4.9, and 4.5.4 respectively, while also implementing additional security measures such as input validation at multiple layers and regular security audits of web applications. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in content management systems where administrators interact with potentially untrusted data.