CVE-2017-6370 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
TYPO3 7.6.15 sends an http request to an index.php?loginProvider URI in cases with an https Referer, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive cleartext information by sniffing the network and reading the userident and username fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6370 affects TYPO3 version 7.6.15 and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that occurs during the authentication process. This issue manifests when the TYPO3 system processes HTTP requests with HTTPS referer headers, creating an unexpected behavior that exposes sensitive user credentials. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of authentication redirects and the subsequent transmission of user identification data through cleartext network traffic. Security researchers have classified this issue as a credential exposure vulnerability that can be exploited through passive network monitoring techniques. The flaw specifically impacts the login provider functionality within the TYPO3 content management system, where the system attempts to redirect users to an index.php?loginProvider URI during authentication flows. This behavior creates an attack surface where malicious actors can intercept network traffic and extract sensitive information including userident and username fields that are transmitted in cleartext format.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the TYPO3 authentication subsystem's handling of HTTP referer headers when processing user login attempts. When an HTTPS request is made to the TYPO3 system, the application's internal logic incorrectly processes the referer header and generates a redirect to the login provider endpoint. This redirect operation occurs without proper sanitization or encryption of the sensitive parameters being transmitted. The vulnerability specifically exploits the difference between HTTP and HTTPS protocols during authentication flows, where the system fails to maintain consistent security measures across protocol boundaries. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-200, which addresses Information Exposure, and more specifically relates to CWE-312, which deals with Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information. This vulnerability essentially creates a man-in-the-middle scenario where attackers can capture authentication-related data as it traverses the network without encryption, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6370 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that can be exploited by remote attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability allows for passive information gathering through network sniffing tools, meaning that attackers do not need to actively interfere with the communication process to obtain sensitive data. This makes the attack vector particularly concerning for organizations operating in environments where network traffic is not properly secured or encrypted. The exposure of userident and username fields creates opportunities for further attacks including account takeover, credential stuffing, and social engineering operations. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability fits into the ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, as the cleartext transmission of credentials makes the system vulnerable to various reconnaissance and exploitation techniques. The impact is particularly severe in environments where multiple users authenticate through the same system, as the exposure of a single username and ident can potentially lead to broader credential compromise across the organization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6370 should focus on both immediate patching and architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of TYPO3 that addresses the authentication redirect logic and ensures proper handling of referer headers regardless of protocol. Organizations should implement comprehensive network security measures including mandatory encryption of all authentication traffic through HTTPS, proper network segmentation, and deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication-related traffic patterns. The implementation of additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and strict access controls can provide defense-in-depth protection against credential exposure attacks. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar authentication-related flaws in other systems and ensure that all applications properly handle protocol transitions and referer header processing. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would violate various security standards including ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53, and GDPR requirements for protecting personal data and authentication information. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security monitoring tools that can detect and alert on cleartext credential transmission attempts, providing real-time visibility into potential exploitation attempts.