CVE-2013-5307 in Ke Search
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Faceted Search (ke_search) extension before 1.4.1 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2018
The CVE-2013-5307 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ke_search extension for TYPO3 content management systems. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.4.1 and exposes web applications to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection. The flaw specifically impacts the faceted search functionality that users employ to filter and refine search results based on various criteria. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the search extension's processing pipeline, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate search parameters to inject malicious scripts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages viewed by other users. The attack vector involves manipulating the search interface parameters to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the ke_search extension fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the search results page. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that TYPO3 installations often serve as content management platforms for organizations with significant web presence, making the potential attack surface substantial.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass data theft, session hijacking, and potential privilege escalation within affected web applications. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal user credentials, access sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using TYPO3 for enterprise content management where search functionality is heavily utilized and trusted by multiple user roles. Security professionals should note that the vulnerability's exploitation typically requires minimal technical skill, making it attractive to both targeted and opportunistic attackers. The fact that this vulnerability existed in widely deployed versions of the ke_search extension increases the potential for widespread compromise across TYPO3 installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5307 primarily involve immediate patching of the ke_search extension to version 1.4.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding measures. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting search parameters. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, parameterized queries, and proper HTML escaping of user-generated content. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous search queries and unusual patterns in search result rendering. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date content management system extensions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within their web applications. Regular security audits of third-party extensions and plugins remain crucial for preventing similar vulnerabilities from compromising web infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards.