CVE-2008-3743 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in forms in Drupal 6.x before 6.4 allow remote attackers to perform unspecified actions via unknown vectors, related to improper token validation for (1) cached forms and (2) forms with AHAH elements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3743 represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness in the Drupal content management system version 6.x prior to 6.4. This flaw resides in the core form handling mechanisms of the platform, specifically affecting how the system validates tokens for user submissions. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct vectors that compromise the integrity of form processing operations, creating pathways for malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. These CSRF vulnerabilities exploit the fundamental trust relationship between the web application and its users, potentially allowing attackers to perform administrative functions, modify content, or manipulate user data without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate token validation mechanisms within Drupal's form system. When forms are cached or processed through AHAH (Asynchronous HTML and HTTP) elements, the system fails to properly validate the authenticity tokens that should ensure each form submission originates from a legitimate user session. This weakness creates a scenario where attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to be legitimate form submissions from authenticated users. The cached forms vulnerability occurs because the token validation process does not adequately account for the caching mechanism, while the AHAH elements present a separate vector where asynchronous form processing bypasses normal token verification procedures. Both scenarios essentially allow attackers to reuse or forge tokens that should be unique to specific user sessions and form contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3743 extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire Drupal installations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could perform actions such as creating new user accounts, modifying existing content, changing system configurations, or even executing arbitrary code depending on the privileges of the targeted user accounts. The implications are particularly severe for websites with administrative functionality, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core security model of Drupal by undermining the principle of least privilege and session integrity, which are fundamental concepts in web application security. This weakness directly violates the security principle that only authenticated and authorized users should be able to perform specific actions on the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of Drupal version 6.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address both token validation vectors. Security teams should also implement additional protective measures including monitoring for suspicious form submissions, implementing web application firewalls, and reviewing access controls for administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications, and demonstrates how improper token handling can create persistent security gaps. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and unauthorized access to administrative functions, representing a critical entry point for attackers seeking to gain control over web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as CSRF protection headers, enhanced session management, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in their web applications.