CVE-2011-4900 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 before 4.5.4 allows Information Disclosure in the backend.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4900 affects TYPO3 content management systems prior to version 4.5.4, specifically within the backend administrative interface. This information disclosure flaw represents a significant security weakness that could potentially expose sensitive system data to unauthorized users. The vulnerability resides in the backend processing logic where proper input validation and access control mechanisms were insufficiently implemented, allowing malicious actors to retrieve information that should remain confidential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs within the TYPO3 backend components. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass normal access controls and authentication checks. The flaw typically manifests when the system processes certain parameters without proper validation, potentially revealing database connection details, file paths, system configurations, or other sensitive metadata. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure vulnerabilities that occur when systems inadvertently disclose sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4900 extends beyond simple data leakage, as the disclosed information could enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into the underlying system architecture, database structure, and administrative processes. This intelligence would significantly aid in planning further attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the backend security model and undermines the trust model that TYPO3 systems rely upon for protecting sensitive administrative functions.
Organizations running affected TYPO3 versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the patched version 4.5.4 or later. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and access control checks within the backend processing pipeline. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious backend access patterns, and regular security audits. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and proper security configuration management. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213, which involves data from information repositories, as attackers could leverage the disclosed information to access additional system resources and expand their attack surface.