CVE-2007-6299 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Drupal and vbDrupal 4.7.x before 4.7.9 and 5.x before 5.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via modules that pass input to the taxonomy_select_nodes function, as demonstrated by the (1) taxonomy_menu, (2) ajaxLoader, and (3) ubrowser contributed modules.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6299 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Drupal content management systems and vbDrupal versions 4.7.x prior to 4.7.9 and 5.x prior to 5.4. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the taxonomy_select_nodes function, which serves as a critical interface for handling taxonomy-related data operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through contributed modules that interact with this core function, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts modules such as taxonomy_menu, ajaxLoader, and ubrowser, which are commonly used components in Drupal installations, making the attack surface significantly broader than initially apparent. This issue falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input passes through the taxonomy_select_nodes function without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL query structure, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain administrative access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database layer, bypassing application-level security controls. The taxonomy_select_nodes function serves as a bridge between user interface elements and database operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit the underlying database. This type of injection vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046, which addresses network service scanning that can lead to privilege escalation through database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6299 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise and persistent access. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, which can result in data exfiltration, database corruption, or unauthorized privilege escalation. The affected modules taxonomy_menu, ajaxLoader, and ubrowser are commonly deployed in production environments, meaning that vulnerable systems are likely to be actively used and monitored by legitimate users. This creates a significant risk that attackers can leverage the vulnerability to establish backdoors or maintain persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple Drupal versions simultaneously, suggesting that organizations with legacy systems or those slow to patch may be particularly vulnerable. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns targeting content management systems, where database compromise often leads to complete infrastructure takeover.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6299 require immediate action including the deployment of security patches for Drupal versions 4.7.9 and 5.4, which address the input validation issues within the taxonomy_select_nodes function. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot influence SQL command structure. The recommended approach aligns with defense-in-depth principles and follows industry best practices for SQL injection prevention. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected modules and ensure that contributed modules are regularly updated from trusted sources. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security monitoring, as the attack surface for SQL injection vulnerabilities continues to expand with the complexity of modern web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that database accounts used by web applications have minimal required permissions.