CVE-2008-0271 in BUEditor
Summary
by MITRE
The editor deletion form in BUEditor 4.7.x before 4.7.x-1.0 and 5.x before 5.x-1.1, a module for Drupal, does not follow Drupal s Forms API submission model, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks and delete custom editor interfaces.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0271 affects the BUEditor module for Drupal, specifically versions 4.7.x prior to 4.7.x-1.0 and 5.x prior to 5.x-1.1. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental security mechanisms implemented within the Drupal content management system. The issue stems from the module's failure to properly implement Drupal's Forms API submission model, which is designed to prevent unauthorized form submissions and maintain the integrity of user interactions within the system. The BUEditor module's deviation from established Drupal security protocols creates an exploitable gap that malicious actors can leverage to execute unauthorized actions.
The technical flaw manifests in the module's handling of editor deletion forms, where it bypasses Drupal's built-in CSRF protection mechanisms. Drupal's Forms API includes inherent security features that generate unique tokens for each form submission to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources within the application. When the BUEditor module fails to utilize this mechanism, it leaves the deletion form vulnerable to cross-site request forgery attacks. Attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated users, enabling them to delete custom editor interfaces without proper authorization. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be enforced by all Drupal modules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, as it compromises the integrity and availability of content management capabilities within Drupal installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability can remove custom editor configurations, potentially disrupting content creation workflows and user experience. The deletion of editor interfaces may affect multiple users and content types, depending on how the custom editors were configured within the system. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized modification of application functionality, representing a significant threat to both administrative and user data integrity within the affected Drupal environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0271 require immediate action to upgrade the BUEditor module to versions that properly implement Drupal's Forms API submission model. System administrators should prioritize updating their Drupal installations to ensure that all modules adhere to established security protocols and maintain proper CSRF protection mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and represents a clear violation of the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and validation of form submissions to detect anomalous deletion patterns and maintain comprehensive audit trails. Regular security assessments of third-party modules and adherence to Drupal's security guidelines are essential practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity.