CVE-2008-3742 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the BlogAPI module in Drupal 5.x before 5.10 and 6.x before 6.4 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, which is not validated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3742 represents a critical security flaw in the Drupal content management system that stems from inadequate input validation within the BlogAPI module. This weakness affects Drupal versions 5.x prior to 5.10 and 6.x prior to 6.4, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially compromise entire web applications. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of unrestricted file upload flaws, which are classified under CWE-434 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, highlighting the fundamental issue of insufficient validation of file types and content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows authenticated users to upload files with executable extensions such as .php, .asp, or .jsp without proper validation checks. When a user uploads such a file through the BlogAPI module, the system fails to verify the file's actual content or extension against a whitelist of allowed file types. This oversight enables attackers to bypass security measures that would normally prevent execution of malicious code, as the uploaded file is stored on the server and can be accessed through a web browser. The flaw specifically resides in the file upload handling logic where the system assumes that uploaded files are safe based solely on their filename extensions rather than examining their actual content or behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. This code execution capability allows adversaries to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, server compromise, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability can be exploited through the BlogAPI module which is typically used for syndication and remote posting functionality, making it accessible to users who have been granted appropriate permissions within the Drupal system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions of Drupal 5.10 and 6.4, which contain proper file validation mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement restrictive file upload policies that enforce strict validation of file types and content, ensuring that only safe file extensions are accepted. The implementation of Content Security Policies and proper file handling procedures can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability aligns with the technique of exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the privilege escalation and code execution phases of an attack lifecycle. Security professionals should also consider implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection to identify suspicious file upload activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.