CVE-2022-23504 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2022-23504 affecting TYPO3 versions prior to 9.5.38, 10.4.33, 11.5.20, and 12.1.1. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
TYPO3 contains Sensitive Information Disclosure via YAML Placeholder Expressions in Site Configuration.
Understanding CVE-2022-23504
This CVE involves TYPO3, an open-source PHP-based web content management system, where versions before 9.5.38, 10.4.33, 11.5.20, and 12.1.1 are vulnerable to Sensitive Information Disclosure.
What is CVE-2022-23504?
TYPO3, due to mishandling of user-submitted YAML placeholder expressions in the site configuration backend module, allows attackers to expose sensitive internal information. This includes system configurations or HTTP request messages of other website visitors. To exploit this vulnerability, a valid backend user account with administrator privileges is required.
The Impact of CVE-2022-23504
The impact of this vulnerability is classified as medium with a base score of 5.7 (CVSS:3.1). The attack complexity is low, requiring network access and user interaction. It affects confidentiality to a high degree while integrity and availability impacts are low.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-23504
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in TYPO3 arises from the improper handling of YAML placeholder expressions in the site configuration backend module, allowing unauthorized actors to access sensitive information.
Affected Systems and Versions
The following TYPO3 versions are affected by this vulnerability:
- TYPO3 version >= 9.0.0 and < 9.5.38
- TYPO3 version >= 10.0.0 and < 10.4.33
- TYPO3 version >= 11.0.0 and < 11.5.20
- TYPO3 version >= 12.0.0 and < 12.1.1
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, attackers would submit malicious YAML placeholder expressions via the site configuration backend module using a valid backend user account with administrator privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
It is recommended to update TYPO3 to the patched versions:
- TYPO3 version 9.5.38 ELTS
- TYPO3 version 10.4.33
- TYPO3 version 11.5.20
- TYPO3 version 12.1.1
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly updating software, following secure coding practices, and monitoring user-submitted data can help prevent such vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all TYPO3 instances are updated to the latest secure versions to mitigate the risk of sensitive information disclosure via YAML placeholder expressions in site configuration.