CVE-2012-1070 in irfaq
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Modern FAQ (irfaq) extension 1.1.2 and other versions before 1.1.4 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, possibly related to the "return url parameter."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The CVE-2012-1070 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Modern FAQ (irfaq) extension for TYPO3 content management system. This security weakness affects versions 1.1.2 and earlier, with the issue remaining unresolved until version 1.1.4 was released. The vulnerability resides in the extension's handling of user input parameters, specifically concerning the return URL parameter that is processed during the extension's operation. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling various malicious activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability occurs when the extension processes the return URL parameter without adequate input filtering mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This particular vector involves the manipulation of URL parameters that are used to redirect users after certain actions within the FAQ extension, creating an opportunity for attackers to embed malicious scripts that will be executed when legitimate users access the affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious sites. When users navigate to pages that contain the maliciously injected scripts, their browsers execute the code in the context of the vulnerable TYPO3 installation, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability affects the entire TYPO3 ecosystem where the irfaq extension is installed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple websites using the vulnerable extension version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1070 primarily involve updating the affected TYPO3 extension to version 1.1.4 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the return URL parameter. System administrators should also implement proper output encoding for all user-supplied data and consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating and sanitizing all input parameters, particularly those used for redirects or URL handling, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for command and control through web applications. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their TYPO3 installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other extensions or core components that may be susceptible to similar injection attacks.