CVE-2008-3223 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Schema API in Drupal 6.x before 6.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors related to "an inappropriate placeholder for numeric fields."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3223 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Drupal's Schema API component affecting versions 6.x prior to 6.3. This weakness resides in how the system handles placeholder substitution for numeric fields during database query construction, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands. The issue stems from improper handling of database abstraction layer operations where numeric field placeholders are not correctly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into SQL statements. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in input validation and query parameterization mechanisms within the Drupal framework's database interaction layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates numeric input fields that are subsequently processed through Drupal's Schema API without proper sanitization. The inappropriate placeholder handling allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that bypass normal input validation checks. When the system processes these malformed inputs, the SQL injection occurs during the query building phase where numeric placeholders are improperly substituted, enabling execution of unauthorized database operations. This vulnerability specifically impacts the Schema API's ability to properly escape or validate numeric field values, creating a persistent vector for command execution. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects core database abstraction functionality, making it particularly dangerous for applications relying on Drupal's schema management capabilities.
The operational consequences of CVE-2008-3223 extend beyond simple data theft to encompass full system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the database user account, potentially leading to complete system takeover. Organizations running affected Drupal versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive information is stored. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers need only access to the web application interface to initiate attacks, making it particularly attractive for automated exploitation. This weakness can be leveraged to extract confidential information, modify database content, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The impact is particularly severe for web applications that rely heavily on database-driven content management and user authentication systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3223 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to Drupal 6.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the improper placeholder handling in the Schema API. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Drupal installations are updated promptly, particularly given the remote exploitability of this vulnerability. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not be relied upon as primary mitigation measures. Input validation and parameterized query approaches should be reinforced throughout the application stack to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other application components. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper database abstraction practices that prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities through robust input sanitization and parameterized query execution.