CVE-2013-5323 in Static Info Tables
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Static Info Tables (static_info_tables) extension before 2.3.1 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2018
The CVE-2013-5323 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Static Info Tables extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.3.1 and enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw resides in the extension's handling of user input and data processing mechanisms, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed when legitimate users view affected pages. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially enable session hijacking, data theft, and further exploitation of the compromised system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may exist across multiple input points within the extension's functionality, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage various injection points to achieve their objectives.
This XSS vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how insecure input handling can create persistent security weaknesses. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the OSI model, targeting the web server's response handling capabilities where user-supplied data is processed and rendered without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets stored or reflected in the application's output, thereby executing arbitrary code in the victim's browser context. The attack vector typically involves injecting malicious scripts through form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs that are then processed by the Static Info Tables extension. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely-used TYPO3 extension, potentially exposing numerous websites to exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5323 extends far beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to complete session compromise and unauthorized access to administrative functions. When attackers successfully inject malicious scripts, they can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface content management interfaces, or even escalate privileges within the TYPO3 system. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can affect all users who interact with pages utilizing the compromised extension, making it particularly dangerous for websites with high user traffic or those handling sensitive data. Organizations running affected versions face potential data breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance issues if user sessions are compromised. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, man-in-the-middle attacks, and the establishment of persistent backdoors within the compromised web environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5323 require immediate implementation of the vendor-recommended patch version 2.3.1 or later, which addresses the underlying input validation and output encoding issues. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of proper HTML escaping techniques and content security policies to prevent script execution. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by filtering suspicious input patterns and monitoring for known XSS attack signatures. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their TYPO3 installations and ensure proper output encoding is implemented throughout the application. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future. The implementation of proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential security incidents. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools to continuously monitor for XSS vulnerabilities and other web application security weaknesses.