CVE-2014-3758 in Si Bibtex
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the BibTex Publications (si_bibtex) extension 0.2.3 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the import functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2018
The CVE-2014-3758 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the BibTex Publications extension version 0.2.3 for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the import functionality of the si_bibtex extension, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the extension's import processing routines, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through carefully crafted data inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the extension processes imported BibTeX data without proper sanitization of user-supplied content. When users interact with the import functionality, the malicious code becomes embedded within the application's response, which is then executed in the browser of unsuspecting victims who view the affected content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting in software development practices, where insufficient validation of input data leads to execution of malicious scripts in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates through the import mechanism, which may be accessible to users with lower privileges, potentially allowing for broader exploitation scenarios.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, steal sensitive information, or manipulate the application's behavior. In a typical TYPO3 environment, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts and unauthorized access to protected content. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate import functionality, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring mechanisms and allowing attackers to blend malicious code within seemingly legitimate data imports.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the extension's import processing code. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user-supplied data before processing, implementing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content, and employing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Organizations should also consider applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrading to a newer version of the si_bibtex extension that addresses this vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the target environment, and T1566 for credential access through social engineering via compromised web applications. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other extension components, particularly focusing on areas where user data is processed and rendered within web applications.