CVE-2014-3948 in powermail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the HTML export wizard in the backend module in the powermail extension before 1.6.11 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The CVE-2014-3948 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the powermail extension for TYPO3 content management system, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.6.11. This vulnerability exists in the HTML export wizard component of the backend module, creating a significant security risk for TYPO3 installations that utilize this extension. The powermail extension is commonly used for creating web forms and managing user submissions within TYPO3 environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on form-based data collection and processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the HTML export wizard functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious web scripts or HTML code through unspecified vectors, which are not fully detailed in the initial CVE description. This lack of specificity in the vector description suggests the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack pathways including form field manipulation, parameter injection, or direct input submission within the export wizard interface. The vulnerability operates by bypassing normal security controls that should prevent malicious code execution in web contexts, allowing crafted payloads to be executed within the browser context of authenticated users who interact with the affected export functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially steal user sessions, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. When authenticated administrators or users access the HTML export wizard, they become susceptible to executing malicious code that could compromise the entire TYPO3 backend environment. This risk is particularly severe because the affected extension is commonly used in enterprise environments where administrators have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could allow attackers to establish long-term access to systems, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which represents Cross-site Scripting, specifically highlighting the failure to sanitize user input before rendering it in web contexts. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a code injection technique under the T1566.001 sub-technique, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3948 primarily focus on immediate patching of the powermail extension to version 1.6.11 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding of all dynamic content, and regular security audits of third-party extensions. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in export wizard usage, and administrators should consider implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices for content management systems and highlights the critical need for thorough security testing of backend modules, particularly those handling user-generated content or exporting data in web formats. Regular vulnerability assessments and security updates form the cornerstone of protecting against such persistent threats in web application environments.