CVE-2008-0264 in Meta Tags Module
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Meta Tags (aka Nodewords) 5.x-1.6 module for Drupal, when images are permitted in node bodies, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors involving creation of a node.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0264 represents a critical security flaw within the Meta Tags module for Drupal versions 5.x-1.6, specifically affecting systems where image uploads are enabled in node bodies. This vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution, which constitutes one of the most severe threat types in web application security. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the module's handling of node creation processes, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by authenticated attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of node creation parameters within the Drupal content management system. When users with appropriate permissions attempt to create nodes that contain images in their bodies, the Meta Tags module fails to properly validate or sanitize the metadata associated with these image elements. This validation gap allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed during the node creation process, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which represents "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1059.008 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" in the context of remote code execution.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system takeover capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the affected Drupal server, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The authentication requirement for exploitation means that attackers must first obtain valid user credentials, but once achieved, the privilege escalation potential is significant. This vulnerability affects organizations using Drupal 5.x versions with the specific Nodewords module configuration, making it particularly concerning for legacy systems that may not have received subsequent security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0264 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Drupal installation, specifically updating to versions that contain the necessary security fixes for the Meta Tags module. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized users can create nodes with image uploads. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including web application firewall rules that can detect and block suspicious metadata patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper sanitization of user-generated content, particularly when dealing with image metadata and embedded elements within content management systems. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual node creation patterns and metadata modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other modules and ensure comprehensive protection against remote code execution attacks.