CVE-2011-4904 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 before 4.4.9 and 4.5.x before 4.5.4 does not apply proper access control on ExtDirect calls which allows remote attackers to retrieve ExtDirect endpoint services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4904 affects TYPO3 content management systems prior to specific patch versions, creating a critical access control flaw that enables unauthorized remote exploitation. This issue specifically targets the ExtDirect functionality within TYPO3's architecture, which serves as a communication layer between the frontend and backend systems. The flaw exists in TYPO3 versions before 4.4.9 and all 4.5.x releases prior to 4.5.4, representing a significant security gap that could allow attackers to bypass intended authorization mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of access controls within the ExtDirect API endpoints. ExtDirect is a JavaScript framework that enables direct communication between the client-side JavaScript and server-side PHP components in TYPO3. When access controls are not properly enforced, attackers can exploit this weakness to make unauthorized calls to these endpoints without proper authentication or authorization checks. This creates a pathway for remote attackers to access services that should be restricted to authenticated users or specific administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to exploit the ExtDirect endpoints without requiring valid credentials or authentication tokens. This means that an attacker could potentially access administrative functions, retrieve sensitive data, or manipulate system configurations through these unprotected API calls. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor into the TYPO3 system's core communication mechanisms, enabling unauthorized access to services that should be protected by proper access control policies. This could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized modifications to website content and configuration settings.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization checks where the system fails to properly validate user credentials or roles before granting access to sensitive services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should implement immediate patching strategies to address this vulnerability, ensuring that all affected TYPO3 installations are updated to versions 4.4.9 or later, or 4.5.4 and subsequent releases. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious ExtDirect API calls, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that all API endpoints properly enforce authentication requirements.