CVE-2013-4747 in Accessible Is Browse Results
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Accessible browse results for indexed search (accessible_is_browse_results) extension 1.2.1 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2018
The CVE-2013-4747 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Accessible browse results for indexed search extension version 1.2.1 and earlier for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the accessible_is_browse_results module, which is designed to provide accessible search results for users with disabilities. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the extension's handling of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious code execution in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from the extension's failure to properly sanitize or encode user-provided parameters before incorporating them into HTML output. When users interact with the indexed search functionality, the extension processes search queries and display results without adequate protection against malicious input. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted search terms or parameters that contain malicious script payloads, which are then executed when other users view the affected search results. This vector of attack operates through the standard HTTP request/response cycle where user input flows directly into the HTML response without proper sanitization, creating a persistent XSS vulnerability that can affect multiple users simultaneously.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4747 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on TYPO3 for their web presence, as the accessible search functionality is commonly used across various business applications. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a significant threat to web application security. Additionally, the vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where users trust the TYPO3 application and regularly perform searches, as the malicious scripts can execute automatically when users view search results.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version of the accessible_is_browse_results extension, applying the latest TYPO3 security patches, and implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of TYPO3 installations. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that all instances of the vulnerable extension are updated and that proper security configurations are implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the web application infrastructure.