CVE-2010-5276 in Memcache
Summary
by MITRE
The Memcache module 5.x before 5.x-1.10 and 6.x before 6.x-1.6 for Drupal does not properly handle the $user object in memcache_admin, which might "lead to a role change not being recognized until the user logs in again."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5276 affects the Memcache module for Drupal platforms, specifically versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.10 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.6. This issue resides within the memcache_admin component of the module which is responsible for administrative caching operations. The flaw represents a significant security concern as it directly impacts user authentication and authorization mechanisms within the Drupal content management system. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the $user object during administrative caching operations, creating a scenario where role modifications do not take immediate effect. This behavior violates fundamental security principles by allowing privilege escalation or unauthorized access that persists until the affected user re-authenticates.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the memcache_admin functionality where the module fails to properly invalidate or update cached user objects when role changes occur. This misconfiguration creates a cache inconsistency problem that allows administrators to make role modifications through the Drupal interface, but these changes are not immediately reflected in the memcached storage system. The $user object, which contains critical authentication and authorization data including role assignments, becomes stale in the cache layer, effectively bypassing the normal security validation processes. This issue demonstrates poor cache invalidation practices and violates the principle of least privilege by allowing users to maintain elevated permissions beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper handling of sensitive information, and CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities related to authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple administrative inconvenience to represent a serious security risk for Drupal installations. When administrators modify user roles or permissions, the system should immediately recognize and enforce these changes across all active sessions. However, due to the caching issue, users may retain their previous roles and associated privileges until they log out and back in, creating a window of opportunity for potential attackers. This behavior could enable malicious users to maintain elevated access rights, potentially leading to unauthorized content modification, data theft, or system compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where role changes are frequently made and immediate enforcement is critical for security governance. Organizations using Drupal with memcache enabled for caching operations face a significant risk of privilege escalation attacks, especially in multi-user environments where administrative access controls are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5276 require immediate attention through module updates to versions 5.x-1.10 or 6.x-1.6, which contain the necessary patches to address the cache handling issue. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected Drupal installations to eliminate the vulnerability at its source. Additional protective measures include implementing proper cache invalidation procedures for user objects, monitoring authentication logs for unusual activity patterns, and establishing regular security audits of caching configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers or session management controls to provide defense-in-depth protection. The fix addresses the core issue by ensuring that user object modifications in the administrative interface properly invalidate cached entries, thereby maintaining synchronization between the database and cache layers. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cache management in web applications and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of caching mechanisms within content management systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the credential access and persistence subtechniques, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing Drupal-based solutions.