CVE-2014-6291 in Alphabetic Sitemap
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Alphabetic Sitemap (alpha_sitemap) extension 0.0.3 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2017
The CVE-2014-6291 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Alphabetic Sitemap extension for TYPO3 content management system. This vulnerability affects versions 0.0.3 and earlier, exposing web applications to potential exploitation by remote attackers who can inject malicious scripts or HTML content. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the extension's handling of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of affected websites. The vulnerability manifests when the extension processes data that should be treated as user input, failing to properly escape or filter characters that could be interpreted as HTML or script tags.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the alpha_sitemap extension functionality, likely involving parameters or data fields that are directly rendered in web pages without proper sanitization. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious payloads that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The vulnerability's classification as a CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) aligns with the common pattern of insufficient input validation and output encoding, where malicious content bypasses security controls designed to prevent script execution. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as it enables attackers to execute JavaScript code in user browsers. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites, particularly when the affected TYPO3 instances handle sensitive user interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6291 is significant for organizations using vulnerable TYPO3 installations, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the sitemap extension, which is commonly used for navigation and site structure representation, making it a prime target for exploitation. Organizations may experience data breaches, loss of user trust, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of data handled by their TYPO3 installations. The attack surface expands when considering that TYPO3 is widely used for enterprise and government applications, where the compromise of sitemap functionality could expose sensitive internal navigation structures. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly when assessing the risk of persistent threats targeting content management systems. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management, as the exploitation of such flaws often requires minimal technical expertise. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious script injections and maintain up-to-date security measures to prevent unauthorized access to their web applications. The remediation approach involves upgrading to patched versions of the alpha_sitemap extension or implementing input validation and output encoding measures as a temporary mitigation strategy.