CVE-2008-3745 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The Upload module in Drupal 6.x before 6.4 allows remote authenticated users to edit nodes, delete files, and download unauthorized attachments via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3745 represents a critical access control flaw within the Drupal content management system's upload module. This issue affects Drupal 6.x versions prior to 6.4 and specifically targets authenticated users who have been granted permissions to upload files. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user privileges during file operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the module's implementation of file access controls, where proper authorization checks fail to adequately verify user permissions before executing file operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and unauthorized access, with the flaw allowing authenticated users to perform actions beyond their intended permissions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to edit existing nodes within the system, delete files that they should not have access to, and download attachments that are restricted to other users. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw manifests through multiple attack paths within the upload module's code structure, potentially involving improper handling of file references, inadequate session validation, or flawed permission checking routines. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the system's access control enforcement mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected Drupal installations, as it enables authenticated attackers to compromise file integrity and potentially access sensitive information. The ability to edit nodes means that malicious users can modify content, inject malicious code, or alter website structure, while file deletion capabilities can be used to remove important assets or create denial of service conditions. The unauthorized attachment download feature poses additional risks, particularly in environments where sensitive documents or media files are stored within the system. This vulnerability essentially undermines the security model of the content management system by allowing users with basic upload permissions to escalate their privileges and access restricted resources, creating potential data breaches and system compromise scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3745 focus primarily on immediate remediation through software updates and proper access control configuration. Organizations should upgrade to Drupal 6.4 or later versions where this vulnerability has been patched, as the fix addresses the underlying access control validation issues. System administrators should also review and tighten user permission settings, ensuring that file upload capabilities are restricted to trusted users only. The implementation of additional security measures such as file type validation, upload directory access controls, and monitoring of file operations can provide defense in depth. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other modules and components of the Drupal installation.