CVE-2009-3122 in Ajaxtable
Summary
by MITRE
The Ajax Table module 5.x for Drupal does not perform access control, which allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary users and nodes via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2019
The CVE-2009-3122 vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in the Ajax Table module version 5.x for Drupal platforms. This module, designed to enhance user interface interactions through dynamic table rendering, failed to implement proper authentication and authorization checks during its operation. The vulnerability stems from the module's inability to verify user permissions before executing destructive operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's security controls. The flaw specifically affects Drupal 5.x installations where the Ajax Table module is enabled, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this content management system architecture. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it grants unauthorized users the ability to perform critical administrative functions without proper credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the module's failure to validate user privileges before processing delete requests. When users interact with the Ajax Table interface, the module processes requests without checking whether the requesting user possesses sufficient permissions to delete users or nodes within the system. This oversight creates a direct path for privilege escalation attacks where an attacker can manipulate API endpoints or interface elements to execute deletion commands against any user account or content node. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths exist, potentially including direct API calls, manipulated form submissions, or crafted HTTP requests that bypass normal access control mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges initially, as the module's design inherently lacks the necessary checks to prevent unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3122 is severe and multifaceted, affecting both data integrity and system availability within affected Drupal installations. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to delete critical user accounts including administrative users, effectively compromising system access control and potentially leading to complete system takeover. Additionally, the ability to delete arbitrary nodes means that content creators and organizations can lose valuable data, potentially resulting in significant business disruption and compliance violations. The vulnerability also poses risks to system stability, as deletion of core user accounts can cause cascading failures in dependent modules or services. Organizations may face regulatory consequences if sensitive user data or content is deleted without authorization, particularly in environments governed by data protection regulations such as gdpr or hipaa. The impact extends to system recovery efforts, as unauthorized deletions may require extensive restoration procedures and could result in data loss that impacts business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3122 should prioritize immediate remediation through module updates or complete removal of the vulnerable Ajax Table module from affected systems. Organizations must implement comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that all modules and components within their Drupal installations properly validate user permissions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms as outlined in the CWE-284 category for improper access control. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls and monitoring to detect suspicious deletion activities, as the vulnerability's exploitation may leave traces in system logs that can aid in incident response. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their Drupal installations to identify and remediate similar access control flaws that may exist in other contributed modules or custom code implementations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of insecure direct object references to bypass access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates and reduce the window of exposure for known vulnerabilities. Regular security training for developers and administrators on secure coding practices can help prevent similar issues in future module development and system configurations.