CVE-2008-2999 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Aggregation module 5.x before 5.x-4.4 for Drupal allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2999 represents a critical security flaw within the Aggregation module of Drupal version 5.x prior to 5.x-4.4. This issue falls under the category of SQL injection vulnerabilities, which constitute one of the most prevalent and dangerous attack vectors in web application security. The Aggregation module in Drupal serves to collect and display aggregated content from various sources, making it a critical component in the platform's content management capabilities. When compromised through SQL injection attacks, this module becomes a gateway for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Aggregation module's code execution paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL commands that bypass normal input filtering mechanisms, allowing them to manipulate database queries in unintended ways. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that multiple entry points within the module could be leveraged for exploitation, potentially including parameters used in content aggregation requests, user input fields, or API endpoints that handle aggregated data processing. This lack of specific vector identification actually increases the severity as it implies a broader attack surface with multiple potential exploitation methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database. This capability allows threat actors to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or administrative privileges to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations running affected Drupal installations face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive information is stored within the database. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent access, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-89 SQL injection, which is catalogued in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as one of the top security weaknesses. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities and T1071.004 for application layer protocol traffic. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patching of the affected Drupal Aggregation module to version 5.x-4.4 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, conduct thorough security assessments of their Drupal installations, and establish robust monitoring protocols to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls, regular security audits, and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all Drupal components remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity and data confidentiality.