CVE-2012-1057 in Forward
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the clickthrough tracking functionality in the Forward module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.21 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that increase node rankings via the tracking code, possibly related to improper "flood control."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The CVE-2012-1057 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness discovered in the Forward module for Drupal platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the clickthrough tracking functionality within the Forward module version 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.21 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit administrative authentication sessions through crafted requests that manipulate node ranking parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of request origins and lacks proper anti-CSRF token implementation in the tracking code mechanism. This weakness particularly affects content management systems where administrators have elevated privileges and can modify node rankings within the Drupal framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of cross-site request forgery by leveraging the trust relationship between the web application and authenticated users. When administrators navigate to pages containing malicious tracking code, the CSRF attack can execute unauthorized requests that increase node rankings without proper authorization. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The improper flood control mechanism mentioned in the description indicates that the system fails to adequately rate-limit or validate the frequency of ranking requests, making it easier for attackers to perform multiple malicious operations. The lack of proper session validation and token verification creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple ranking manipulation as it provides attackers with a potential vector for administrative privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could increase node rankings to manipulate content visibility or potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the web application attack surface. The vulnerability particularly affects Drupal installations where the Forward module is enabled and administrators have the ability to modify node rankings. The attack requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through embedded tracking code, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently visit external sites or where the tracking code is embedded in newsletters or external communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1057 involve immediate patching of the Forward module to versions 6.x-1.21 or 7.x-1.3, which contain the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper anti-CSRF token validation throughout the application's clickthrough tracking functionality and ensure that all administrative requests require proper authentication verification. The solution aligns with the security principle of defense in depth by implementing multiple layers of protection including input validation, session management, and request origin verification. Additionally, administrators should conduct regular security audits of installed modules and ensure that all third-party components are kept up to date with security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper flood control mechanisms and rate limiting to prevent abuse of administrative functions, which is consistent with security best practices outlined in various industry standards including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.