CVE-2012-1605 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
The Extbase Framework in TYPO3 4.6.x through 4.6.6, 4.7, and 6.0 unserializes untrusted data, which allows remote attackers to unserialize arbitrary objects and possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to "a missing signature (HMAC) for a request argument."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1605 affects the Extbase Framework within TYPO3 content management systems across multiple versions including 4.6.x through 4.6.6, 4.7, and 6.0. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from the framework's improper handling of untrusted data during the unserialization process. The vulnerability specifically targets the absence of proper message authentication codes or HMAC signatures for request arguments, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to manipulate serialized objects within the system. The flaw resides in the framework's architecture where it accepts serialized data from external sources without sufficient validation or integrity checking mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious serialized data that, when processed by the Extbase Framework, triggers arbitrary object unserialization. This unserialization process allows attackers to instantiate objects of their choosing within the application context, potentially leading to remote code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502 as "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" through the manipulation of serialized objects. The missing HMAC signature validation creates a path where attackers can bypass normal input sanitization processes and inject malicious payloads directly into the application's object graph.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to fully compromise affected TYPO3 installations. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the vulnerable TYPO3 instance, potentially leading to complete system takeover. This vulnerability affects organizations using TYPO3 versions within the specified ranges and poses significant risk to websites and web applications that rely on the Extbase Framework for their functionality. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1605 primarily involve immediate upgrades to patched versions of TYPO3 where available, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent untrusted data from reaching the unserialization process. The implementation of HMAC signature verification for all request arguments provides essential protection against this specific attack pattern. Additionally, network-level security controls such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious serialized data attempts. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual patterns in request processing and object instantiation within the Extbase Framework. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege configurations and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their TYPO3 installations.