CVE-2020-26228 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2020-26228 affecting TYPO3.CMS versions before 9.5.23 and 10.4.10. Understand the impact, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps for this cleartext storage vulnerability.
TYPO3 is an open source PHP-based web content management system. In TYPO3 versions before 9.5.23 and 10.4.10, user session identifiers were stored in cleartext, posing a security risk.
Understanding CVE-2020-26228
This CVE highlights a vulnerability in TYPO3 that could lead to the exposure of sensitive information due to the cleartext storage of user session identifiers.
What is CVE-2020-26228?
In TYPO3 versions prior to 9.5.23 and 10.4.10, user session identifiers were stored without additional cryptographic hashing, making them vulnerable to exploitation in combination with other attacks like SQL injection.
The Impact of CVE-2020-26228
The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.1, indicating a high severity level with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-26228
TYPO3's vulnerability involves cleartext storage of sensitive information, affecting specific versions of the system.
Vulnerability Description
User session identifiers in TYPO3 versions < 9.5.23 and < 10.4.10 were stored in cleartext without cryptographic hashing, exposing them to potential exploitation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: TYPO3.CMS
- Vendor: TYPO3
- Vulnerable Versions: >= 9.0.0, < 9.5.23 and >= 10.0.0, < 10.4.10
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability requires a chained attack, such as SQL injection in another system component, to exploit the cleartext storage of user session identifiers.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-26228, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update TYPO3 to versions 9.5.23 or 10.4.10 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
- Regularly monitor and audit the system for security weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities.