CVE-2008-2271 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The Site Documentation Drupal module 5.x before 5.x-1.8 and 6.x before 6.x-1.1 allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges of other users by leveraging the "access content" permission to list tables and obtain session IDs from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2019
The CVE-2008-2271 vulnerability affects the Site Documentation module in Drupal versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.8 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.1, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables authenticated attackers to compromise user accounts and elevate their access rights. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's improper handling of database session information, creating an avenue for attackers to exploit the "access content" permission to extract sensitive session data from the database. The flaw resides in the module's design where it fails to properly validate user permissions when processing database queries that retrieve session information, allowing malicious users to enumerate database tables and extract session identifiers that can be used to impersonate other users within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the Site Documentation module. When authenticated users with the "access content" permission attempt to interact with the module's functionality, the system fails to properly restrict database access based on user privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute database queries that reveal the structure of database tables and extract session data, which typically contains user identification information and authentication tokens. This flaw directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability allows attackers to escalate their privileges from standard authenticated users to potentially administrator-level access by using the extracted session information to assume the identities of other users within the Drupal system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2271 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access sensitive user data, modify content, and potentially gain administrative control over the entire Drupal installation. The extracted session IDs can be used to impersonate legitimate users, enabling unauthorized access to restricted areas of the website and the ability to perform actions that the compromised users are authorized to perform. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Drupal for content management and require robust user access controls, as it undermines the fundamental security model of the platform. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring special privileges beyond basic user authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts are easily accessible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2271 focus on immediate patching and access control reinforcement. Organizations should upgrade to Site Documentation module versions 5.x-1.8 or 6.x-1.1, which contain the necessary security fixes to prevent unauthorized database access. Additionally, administrators should implement proper access control measures by reviewing and restricting the "access content" permission to only trusted users who require this level of access. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that users have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their required tasks. Network-level protections such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious database access patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor module flaws can create significant security risks. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized database queries and session information access attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched module to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while addressing the privilege escalation vulnerability. This case study exemplifies the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attacks.