CVE-2007-5270 in Boost Module For Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Boost module before 4.7.x-1.0, and 5.x before 5.x-1.0, for Drupal allows remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files, and conduct cross-site scripting attacks (XSS) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5270 represents a critical security flaw within the Boost module for Drupal content management systems. This module, designed to enhance website performance through caching mechanisms, contained a security vulnerability that affected versions prior to 4.7.x-1.0 and 5.x-1.0. The flaw enabled malicious actors to exploit the system through multiple attack vectors, creating a significant risk for Drupal websites utilizing this module. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanisms were not fully detailed in the initial reporting, though the implications were severe enough to warrant immediate attention from the security community.
The core technical issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the Boost module's file handling and content rendering processes. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform arbitrary file creation or overwrite operations on the target server, potentially allowing them to inject malicious code or replace legitimate website files with compromised versions. Additionally, the vulnerability facilitated cross-site scripting attacks, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. This dual nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it combines persistent file system manipulation with client-side attack capabilities. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains, creating opportunities for both privilege escalation and data compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5270 extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Websites running vulnerable versions of the Boost module faced potential complete compromise, as attackers could establish persistent backdoors through file manipulation capabilities. The cross-site scripting component created additional attack surfaces, allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability particularly affected content management systems where the Boost module was used for performance optimization, as these systems often contain sensitive administrative interfaces and user data. The attack vectors likely involved manipulation of module configuration parameters, file upload interfaces, or content rendering processes that failed to properly validate user-supplied input, creating opportunities for path traversal or direct file system access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patching of the Boost module to versions 4.7.x-1.0 or 5.x-1.0, respectively. System administrators must conduct thorough security audits to identify any potential compromise indicators, including unauthorized file modifications or suspicious access logs. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file system activities or XSS payload delivery patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Path Traversal) and CWE-79 (Cross-Site Scripting) categories, representing classic security flaws that demonstrate poor input validation and insufficient access controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation through file system manipulation and credential access via client-side attacks, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within compromised networks and maintain persistent access to affected systems. Regular security assessments and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other Drupal modules and components.