CVE-2007-0124 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Drupal before 4.6.11, and 4.7 before 4.7.5, when MySQL is used, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service by poisoning the page cache via unspecified vectors, which triggers erroneous 404 HTTP errors for pages that exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0124 represents a significant denial of service weakness in the Drupal content management system that affected versions prior to 4.6.11 and 4.7.5 when utilizing MySQL database systems. This flaw specifically targets the page caching mechanism within Drupal's architecture, creating a scenario where authenticated users can manipulate cache poisoning techniques to generate false 404 error responses for legitimate content. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that exploit the interaction between Drupal's caching subsystem and MySQL database operations, ultimately compromising the availability and integrity of web content delivery.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate cache validation mechanisms within Drupal's core codebase, particularly when MySQL is configured as the backend database. Attackers with authenticated access can leverage this weakness to poison the page cache by manipulating specific data patterns that cause the system to incorrectly mark existing pages as non-existent. This cache poisoning results in erroneous HTTP 404 responses being returned to legitimate users attempting to access pages that are actually present and functional within the system. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and cache management where the system fails to properly verify cache integrity before serving content, creating a pathway for authenticated users to disrupt normal content delivery operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to Drupal-based websites as it allows authenticated attackers to effectively render legitimate content inaccessible through denial of service mechanisms. The exploitation requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by compromised user accounts or insiders with legitimate access privileges. The resulting 404 errors for existing pages create confusion for end users and can potentially impact search engine optimization, user experience, and overall system availability. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper cache management and validation in web applications, as it shows how seemingly benign cache poisoning techniques can be weaponized to create widespread service disruption.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0124 primarily focus on upgrading to the patched versions of Drupal 4.6.11 and 4.7.5, which contain the necessary fixes to address the cache poisoning vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Drupal installations are updated promptly when security patches become available. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unusual cache behavior or patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers "Improper Input Validation," and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Network Denial of Service" within the context of malicious code execution and service disruption. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics related to CWE-352, "Cross-Site Request Forgery," as it involves unauthorized manipulation of system resources through authenticated sessions, highlighting the critical need for proper access controls and session management in web applications.