CVE-2008-6169 in Localization client
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Localization client 5.x before 5.x-1.1 and 6.x before 6.x-1.6 and the Localization server 5.x before 5.x-1.0-alpha5 and 6.x before 6.x-alpha2, modules for Drupal, allows remote attackers to perform unauthorized actions as administrators via unspecified vectors related to the "local translation submission interface."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2017
The CVE-2008-6169 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting Drupal's Localization modules across multiple versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the localization client and server components that handle translation submissions within the Drupal content management system. The flaw exists in versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.1 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.6 for the client module, alongside server versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.0-alpha5 and 6.x prior to 6.x-alpha2. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the translation submission interface, which fails to properly authenticate and authorize requests originating from external domains.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability exploits the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or similar protective measures within the localization submission forms. When administrators interact with the translation interface, the system does not validate that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same domain, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to craft specially crafted requests that appear to come from authenticated administrative users. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, particularly targeting privileged accounts with administrative capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized administrative actions without requiring valid credentials or session tokens. An attacker could potentially modify translation data, submit malicious content, or manipulate localization settings within the Drupal environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the localization functionality which often involves content management and user interface modifications that could affect the entire website's integrity. This creates a vector for data corruption, content injection, and potential privilege escalation within the Drupal framework.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery conditions in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a technique that falls under T1548.005 - Server Software Component, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in web application components to gain elevated privileges. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious web pages or emails that, when visited by administrators, automatically submit requests to the vulnerable Drupal installation. Organizations using affected versions of the Localization modules should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper CSRF token validation, and reviewing access controls for administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies should include upgrading to the patched versions of the Localization modules as specified in the vulnerability timeline, implementing robust anti-CSRF token mechanisms throughout the application, and conducting comprehensive security reviews of all web application interfaces that handle administrative functions. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as Content Security Policy headers, proper session management, and regular vulnerability scanning of Drupal installations to identify similar weaknesses in other modules or components that might be vulnerable to similar attacks.