CVE-2021-43563 in pixxio
Summary
by MITRE • 11/10/2021
An issue was discovered in the pixxio (aka pixx.io integration or DAM) extension before 1.0.6 for TYPO3. The Access Control in the bundled media browser is broken, which allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform requests to the pixx.io API for the configured API user. This allows an attacker to download various media files from the DAM system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-43563 represents a critical access control flaw within the pixxio extension for TYPO3 content management systems. This issue affects versions prior to 1.0.6 and stems from a fundamental breakdown in the media browser's authentication mechanisms. The pixxio extension serves as a digital asset management integration that connects TYPO3 installations with external DAM systems, specifically the pixx.io platform. When properly configured, this extension enables seamless media asset management between the TYPO3 frontend and the remote DAM service, but the vulnerability creates a significant security gap that undermines this integration's integrity.
The technical flaw manifests as a broken access control implementation that fails to properly authenticate incoming requests to the pixx.io API endpoint. This vulnerability specifically targets the bundled media browser component that handles user interactions with digital assets stored in the DAM system. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass the normal authentication flow required for API access. The flaw allows attackers to directly interface with the configured API user credentials, effectively granting them access to the underlying DAM system's media repository without proper authorization. This represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks, where the system fails to validate user credentials or session state before processing requests to sensitive resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data exfiltration and content manipulation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to download various media files from the DAM system, potentially accessing sensitive corporate assets, copyrighted materials, or proprietary content that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core functionality of the media browser, which is likely used by content editors, administrators, and other authorized personnel. This creates a scenario where attackers can systematically harvest media assets without detection, potentially causing significant financial loss through intellectual property theft or reputational damage through unauthorized content exposure. The vulnerability essentially transforms the media browser from a controlled access point into an open gateway for unauthorized data retrieval.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigations including updating the pixxio extension to version 1.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the access control bypass. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their TYPO3 installations to identify all instances of the affected extension and verify proper configuration of API access controls. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of API requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and request authentication mechanisms at the web application level can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which covers insufficient authorization issues, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers can leverage the compromised API access to gain further system access or extract sensitive data from the digital asset management infrastructure.