CVE-2014-3759 in Si Bibtex
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the BibTex Publications (si_bibtex) extension 0.2.3 for TYPO3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors related to the (1) search or (2) list functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2018
The CVE-2014-3759 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the BibTex Publications extension version 0.2.3 for the TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. The flaw specifically impacts two primary functionalities within the extension: the search capability and the list functionality, both of which process user input without proper sanitization or parameterization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the extension's database query construction logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious actors provide specially crafted input to the search or list parameters of the BibTex Publications extension. These inputs are then directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameter binding, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate the database query structure. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system, depending on the privileges of the database user account used by the TYPO3 application.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3759 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate their privileges within the web application environment. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the BibTex Publications extension face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data integrity compromise, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core functionality of content management systems, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate bibliographic data, user information, or other sensitive content stored in the database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure, making it a high-priority threat for organizations maintaining TYPO3 installations with the affected extension.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3759 should prioritize immediate patching of the BibTex Publications extension to version 0.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures and ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into database queries. Database access should be restricted to the minimum necessary privileges for the TYPO3 application, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping third-party extensions updated and maintaining comprehensive security practices for content management systems.