CVE-2023-38499 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2023
TYPO3 is an open source PHP based web content management system. Starting in version 9.4.0 and prior to versions 9.5.42 ELTS, 10.4.39 ELTS, 11.5.30, and 12.4.4, in multi-site scenarios, enumerating the HTTP query parameters `id` and `L` allowed out-of-scope access to rendered content in the website frontend. For instance, this allowed visitors to access content of an internal site by adding handcrafted query parameters to the URL of a site that was publicly available. TYPO3 versions 9.5.42 ELTS, 10.4.39 ELTS, 11.5.30, 12.4.4 fix the problem.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-38499 represents a critical access control flaw within the TYPO3 content management system that affects multiple version ranges across its major releases. This issue specifically targets multi-site configurations where TYPO3 instances are configured to serve content across different domains or subdomains, creating a complex environment where proper boundary enforcement becomes crucial for maintaining security isolation between distinct website contexts. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of HTTP query parameters that are commonly used to identify the target site and language context within TYPO3's routing mechanism, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate these parameters to gain unauthorized access to content that should remain restricted to internal or specific audiences.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of two critical query parameters: `id` and `L`. The `id` parameter typically represents the page identifier within TYPO3's content management structure, while the `L` parameter specifies the language context for content rendering. In vulnerable versions, these parameters are not sufficiently validated against the current site's scope, allowing attackers to craft URLs that reference pages or content from other sites within the same TYPO3 installation. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and access control enforcement, where the application fails to verify that the requested content belongs to the scope of the currently accessed site, enabling cross-site content enumeration and access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using TYPO3 in multi-site environments, particularly those hosting multiple domains or subdomains within a single installation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access internal or restricted content by simply modifying the URL parameters of publicly accessible pages, potentially leading to information disclosure of sensitive data, internal site structures, or confidential content that should only be accessible to authorized users within specific site contexts. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can result in unauthorized access to content that may include internal communications, draft documents, or other sensitive materials that are not intended for public consumption.
The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses this issue through enhanced parameter validation and improved scope enforcement mechanisms within TYPO3's core routing and access control systems. These updates ensure that query parameters are properly validated against the current site's boundaries and that content access is restricted to the appropriate scope based on the requesting site context. Organizations should prioritize updating their TYPO3 installations to the patched versions as soon as possible, particularly those running affected versions in multi-site configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables unauthorized access to content repositories through manipulation of application parameters, representing a significant risk to information confidentiality and system integrity in multi-tenant web environments.