CVE-2014-9508 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
The frontend rendering component in TYPO3 4.5.x before 4.5.39, 4.6.x through 6.2.x before 6.2.9, and 7.x before 7.0.2, when config.prefixLocalAnchors is set and using a homepage with links that only contain anchors, allows remote attackers to change URLs to arbitrary domains for those links via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9508 affects TYPO3 content management systems across multiple version ranges, specifically targeting the frontend rendering component that processes URL handling. This issue arises when the configuration parameter config.prefixLocalAnchors is enabled, creating a security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate URL redirection behavior. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through seemingly innocuous anchor links on websites, making it difficult to detect during routine security assessments. The flaw exists in versions spanning from 4.5.x before 4.5.39 through 6.2.x before 6.2.9 and 7.x before 7.0.2, indicating a prolonged period of exposure across multiple major releases. The attack vector involves manipulating links that contain only anchor references, which should normally remain local to the website, but can be coerced into pointing to external domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper URL validation and sanitization within TYPO3's rendering engine when processing local anchor links. When config.prefixLocalAnchors is enabled, the system attempts to prefix local anchor references with the site's base URL, but fails to properly validate or sanitize the resulting URLs. This creates a path traversal or URL manipulation condition that allows attackers to inject arbitrary domain references into anchor links. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-601 as URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, which specifically addresses situations where web applications redirect users to external domains through seemingly benign URL manipulation. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation where the system does not properly verify that generated URLs remain within the intended domain boundaries, allowing for potential phishing attacks or malicious redirection.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9508 extends beyond simple URL manipulation, creating potential security risks for website visitors and administrators. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to redirect users to malicious domains, potentially facilitating phishing campaigns or malware distribution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users trust the website's content and may not notice suspicious redirections in anchor links. Website owners using affected TYPO3 versions could see their sites used as conduits for social engineering attacks, with legitimate-looking anchor links actually redirecting to malicious destinations. The vulnerability also impacts search engine optimization and user trust, as visitors may experience unexpected redirects when clicking on internal links. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential compliance issues with security standards such as ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which require proper input validation and URL handling mechanisms to prevent unauthorized redirections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9508 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of TYPO3, specifically versions 4.5.39, 6.2.9, and 7.0.2 respectively. Organizations should also consider disabling the config.prefixLocalAnchors configuration parameter if anchor link functionality is not essential for their website's operation, though this may impact certain website features. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in website analytics and conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on URL handling components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as it involves manipulation of DNS-resolvable URLs through application-level vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls with URL validation rules and consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized domain redirections. Regular security audits should include verification of configuration settings related to URL handling and anchor processing to ensure that no unintended URL manipulation capabilities remain enabled in production environments.