CVE-2022-31046 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting multiple versions of TYPO3, an open-source web content management system widely used for building and managing websites. The vulnerability arises from improper access control in the export functionality of TYPO3 prior to versions 7.6.57 ELTS, 8.7.47 ELTS, 9.5.34 ELTS, 10.4.29, and 11.5.11. Specifically, the export feature does not restrict the columns of database tables that can be exported by authenticated users. As a result, users with backend access rights can export internal database details beyond their intended permissions. Although the users must already have some level of authenticated access to the backend, the flaw allows them to access sensitive information that should be restricted, violating the principle of least privilege. The issue is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). TYPO3 addressed this vulnerability by completely denying access to the export functionality for regular backend users in the fixed versions. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no public patch links are provided, but upgrading to the fixed versions is the recommended remediation. The vulnerability impacts TYPO3 versions from 7.0.0 up to but not including the fixed versions listed above, affecting a broad range of installations still running older releases. Since TYPO3 is often used in enterprise and government websites, exposure of internal database details could lead to information disclosure that may facilitate further attacks or data breaches.

For European organizations using TYPO3, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive internal data stored in database tables. Although exploitation requires authenticated backend access, insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this flaw to extract confidential information such as user data, configuration details, or other sensitive content. This could lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential escalation of attacks if attackers gain insights into the system architecture or data structures. Public sector institutions, educational entities, and enterprises relying on TYPO3 for critical web infrastructure are particularly at risk. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, with limited direct effect on integrity or availability. However, the information disclosure could be a stepping stone for more damaging attacks. Since no known exploits are currently active, the threat is moderate but should not be underestimated given TYPO3's widespread use in Europe.

1. Upgrade TYPO3 installations to the fixed versions: 7.6.57 ELTS, 8.7.47 ELTS, 9.5.34 ELTS, 10.4.29, or 11.5.11 or later. This is the most effective mitigation. 2. Restrict backend user permissions to the minimum necessary, especially limiting access to export functionality or database management features. 3. Implement strong authentication mechanisms (e.g., multi-factor authentication) for backend users to reduce the risk of account compromise. 4. Monitor and audit backend user activities, focusing on export operations and unusual data access patterns. 5. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, consider disabling or restricting the export functionality for regular backend users via configuration or access control policies. 6. Conduct regular security reviews and penetration testing to identify any unauthorized data exposure. 7. Educate administrators and users about the risks of excessive permissions and the importance of timely patching. These measures go beyond generic advice by emphasizing permission management, monitoring, and interim controls until upgrades can be applied.