CVE-2010-1546 in CTools
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple eval injection vulnerabilities in the import functionality in the Chaos Tool Suite (aka CTools) module 6.x before 6.x-1.4 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users, with "administer page manager" privileges, to execute arbitrary PHP code via input to a text area, related to (1) the page_manager_page_import_subtask_validate function in page_manager/plugins/tasks/page.admin.inc and (2) the page_manager_handler_import_validate function in page_manager/page_manager.admin.inc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2019
The CVE-2010-1546 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code execution flaw within the Chaos Tool Suite module for Drupal, specifically affecting version 6.x prior to 6.x-1.4. This vulnerability resides in the import functionality of the module, which is designed to facilitate the importation of page manager configurations and handler settings. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by authenticated users who possess the "administer page manager" privilege, making it accessible to users with significant administrative capabilities within the Drupal system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within two specific functions: page_manager_page_import_subtask_validate and page_manager_handler_import_validate, which are located in the page_manager/plugins/tasks/page.admin.inc and page_manager/page_manager.admin.inc files respectively.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic eval injection attack vector where malicious PHP code can be injected into text areas that are subsequently processed by the vulnerable functions. When these functions validate imported data, they fail to properly sanitize or escape user input before passing it to the eval() function, creating an opportunity for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and is particularly relevant in the context of web application security. The attack requires an authenticated user with administrative privileges, but the impact is severe since such users typically have broad access to system resources and can manipulate the entire application environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and code generation practices, where user-supplied data is directly interpreted and executed without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise the affected Drupal installation. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and the ability to establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of page management within Drupal, which is critical for content management and user experience configuration. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate administrative functionality, making it harder to detect through traditional security monitoring. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" when considering the broader attack chain that might follow such a compromise. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute malicious code directly within the application's execution context, potentially leading to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their Drupal installations to version 6.x-1.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. The recommended mitigation strategy involves not only applying the official security patch but also implementing additional security controls such as input validation, privilege least-privilege principles, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and code generation practices, as well as the critical need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely trigger security audit findings under standards such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and NIST SP 800-53, which emphasize the importance of protecting against code injection attacks and maintaining secure software development practices. Organizations should also review their administrative access controls and implement multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to privileged functionality.