CVE-2008-3661 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Drupal, probably 5.10 and 6.4, does not set the secure flag for the session cookie in an https session, which can cause the cookie to be sent in http requests and make it easier for remote attackers to capture this cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3661 represents a critical security flaw in the Drupal content management system affecting versions 5.10 and 6.4. This issue stems from the improper configuration of session cookies within the web application framework, specifically failing to implement the secure flag mechanism that is essential for protecting sensitive authentication data. The secure flag serves as a fundamental security measure that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over encrypted https connections, thereby preventing unauthorized interception during data transmission. Without this flag, session cookies become vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and cookie theft scenarios that compromise user authentication sessions.
The technical flaw manifests when Drupal applications operate over https connections but fail to properly configure session cookies with the secure attribute. This configuration oversight allows the web server to send session identifiers over both http and https channels, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can capture these cookies through network sniffing or other passive reconnaissance techniques. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-614, which describes insecure cookies that are not marked as secure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through network sniffing. When attackers successfully capture these unsecured session cookies, they can impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to protected application resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Drupal installations that rely on session-based authentication. Organizations running affected versions of Drupal face significant risks including unauthorized access to administrative panels, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely used versions of the platform, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools and increasing the attack surface across numerous websites and applications. Additionally, the issue demonstrates poor security configuration practices within the application framework, highlighting the need for comprehensive security hardening procedures and proper cookie management protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3661 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by the Drupal project, along with comprehensive configuration reviews of all web server and application settings. Organizations should ensure that all session cookies are properly configured with the secure flag and that additional security headers such as HttpOnly and SameSite are implemented to provide defense in depth. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious cookie transmission patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices including the principle of least privilege, regular security audits, and maintaining up-to-date software versions. Compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 becomes critical when addressing such configuration weaknesses that can be exploited to compromise user sessions and application integrity.