CVE-2008-3092 in Taxonomy Autotagger module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Taxonomy Autotagger module 5.x before 5.x-1.8 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users, with create or edit post permissions, to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3092 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Taxonomy Autotagger module for Drupal version 5.x prior to 5.x-1.8. This security weakness specifically targets the module's handling of user input during taxonomy autotagging operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with basic posting privileges, making it exploitable by users who should normally have limited administrative capabilities within the Drupal platform. The module's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data during the autotagging process creates an environment where malicious SQL commands can be injected and subsequently executed with the privileges of the web application.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a code injection technique where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw manifests when the Taxonomy Autotagger module processes user input during content creation or editing operations, where the module fails to implement adequate input filtering mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted taxonomy terms or content fields that contain malicious SQL payloads. These payloads are then processed by the vulnerable module and executed against the underlying database, potentially allowing for data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within the context of authenticated users, meaning that even users with minimal privileges can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Drupal-based websites that utilize the Taxonomy Autotagger module. The attack vector requires only a user account with create or edit post permissions, which are commonly granted to content authors and editors within typical Drupal implementations. This means that a compromised user account or a malicious insider with basic posting privileges could potentially execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database. The consequences could include unauthorized data access, data corruption, privilege escalation to administrative accounts, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing injection flaws that remain among the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can be mitigated through several defensive measures that align with established security frameworks and best practices. The most immediate and effective solution involves upgrading to the patched version of the Taxonomy Autotagger module, specifically version 5.x-1.8 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized query execution. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at multiple layers, including application-level filtering and database-level query parameterization techniques. Network segmentation and privilege minimization strategies can help reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation by limiting the scope of damage that could occur even if the vulnerability is compromised. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate SQL injection attempts, aligning with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's detection recommendations for command and control activities and credential access techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other modules or components of the Drupal installation, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar injection vulnerabilities.