CVE-2015-8756 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the search result view in the Indexed Search (indexed_search) component in TYPO3 6.2.x before 6.2.16 allows remote authenticated editors to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
The CVE-2015-8756 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within TYPO3's Indexed Search component affecting versions 6.2.x through 6.2.15. This vulnerability specifically targets the search result view functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated editor sessions. The vulnerability's significance lies in its ability to exploit the trust relationship between the web application and its authenticated users, allowing attackers to leverage legitimate user privileges to compromise system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests within the Indexed Search component's handling of search result displays, where input validation and output sanitization mechanisms fail to properly filter malicious content submitted through search queries. While the exact vectors remain unspecified in the CVE description, this type of vulnerability typically occurs when user-supplied data containing script tags or malicious payloads is directly rendered in web pages without proper encoding or sanitization. The vulnerability affects authenticated editors, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this weakness, though the impact remains severe due to the privileged nature of these accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8756 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as authenticated editors possess elevated privileges within the TYPO3 system. Attackers could potentially execute malicious scripts that access sensitive administrative functions, modify content, steal session cookies, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to escalate their privileges further within the application. Given that editors often have access to content management features, this XSS vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate website content or establish persistent backdoors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566, specifically targeting the initial access phase through malicious web content. Organizations should immediately implement the recommended patch updates to TYPO3 version 6.2.16 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the Indexed Search component's input validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding for all user-supplied content, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.