CVE-2008-4792 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The core BlogAPI module in Drupal 5.x before 5.11 and 6.x before 6.5 does not properly validate unspecified content fields of an internal Drupal form, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via modified field values.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4792 represents a critical access control flaw within the Drupal content management system that affects versions 5.x prior to 5.11 and 6.x prior to 6.5. This issue resides within the core BlogAPI module, which serves as a crucial interface for remote content management operations. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify the integrity of unspecified content fields within internal Drupal forms. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate form data to gain unauthorized access to restricted content or functionality that should only be available to specific user roles or permissions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms in software systems. The flaw occurs because the BlogAPI module does not adequately validate form field values that are not explicitly defined or restricted in the form structure. When authenticated users submit content through the BlogAPI interface, they can modify field values that should be protected or controlled by the system's access control policies. This allows malicious actors to craft requests that bypass intended security boundaries and potentially access content or perform actions outside their assigned permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4792 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate content, access sensitive data, or potentially execute further attacks within the Drupal environment. Since the vulnerability affects authenticated users, it represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Drupal for content management, particularly those with complex user permission structures or sensitive content repositories. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate authentication mechanisms to bypass security controls, making detection more challenging and potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to restricted resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Drupal versions 5.11 or 6.5, which contain the necessary patches to address the validation gaps in the BlogAPI module. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten access control policies for the BlogAPI module, ensuring that only trusted users have access to its functionality. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers exploit legitimate authenticated sessions to bypass access controls. Security monitoring should focus on unusual patterns in BlogAPI usage, particularly when content modifications occur outside normal user behavior patterns, as this could indicate exploitation attempts.