Overview
CVE-2025-59017 is a critical vulnerability in the popular TYPO3 CMS (Content Management System) that could result in unauthorized system access and potential data leakage. This vulnerability arises from missing authorization checks in the system’s Backend Routing, which allows backend users to invoke AJAX backend routes directly without having the necessary access permissions to the corresponding backend modules. The TYPO3 CMS is widely used by web developers across the globe, making this a significant cybersecurity issue that warrants immediate attention and mitigation.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-59017
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: Unauthorized system access and potential data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
TYPO3 CMS | 9.0.0-9.5.54
TYPO3 CMS | 10.0.0-10.4.53
TYPO3 CMS | 11.0.0-11.5.47
TYPO3 CMS | 12.0.0-12.4.36
TYPO3 CMS | 13.0.0-13.4.17
How the Exploit Works
This vulnerability in TYPO3 CMS stems from missing authorization checks in the Backend Routing. Consequently, backend users, even those with minimal privileges, can directly invoke AJAX backend routes without having the necessary permissions to access the corresponding backend modules. This loophole can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or potentially compromise the entire system.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how an attacker might exploit this vulnerability. This example uses an HTTP request to send a malicious payload to a vulnerable endpoint.
POST /ajax/route HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable.typo3.com
Content-Type: application/json
{
"backend_route": "malicious_route",
"unauthorized_access": "true"
}In the above example, the attacker uses a POST request to send a malicious payload to the ‘/ajax/route’ endpoint. The payload contains a ‘backend_route’ parameter set to a ‘malicious_route’, and an ‘unauthorized_access’ parameter set to ‘true’, signifying that the request is made without proper access permissions.
How to Mitigate this Vulnerability
Users of affected TYPO3 CMS versions are strongly encouraged to apply the vendor-provided patch immediately. In cases where immediate patching is not feasible, utilizing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as temporary mitigation. These systems can detect and block known malicious patterns, providing an additional layer of defense against unauthorized access attempts. Remember, however, that WAFs and IDSs can only provide temporary protection, and patching remains the recommended long-term solution.
