CVE-2012-1626 in Date
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the conversion form for Events in the Date module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.8 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer Date Tools" privilege to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The CVE-2012-1626 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Date module for Drupal 6.x-2.x versions prior to 6.x-2.8. This vulnerability specifically affects the conversion form for Events within the Date module, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through database command injection. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with the "administer Date Tools" privilege, which is typically granted to users with elevated administrative capabilities within Drupal environments. The vulnerability exists in the form processing logic where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input parameters. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack vector leverages the fact that the Date module's conversion form processes user input without adequate validation or parameterization, creating an environment where malicious SQL commands can be executed directly against the underlying database system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can potentially gain complete control over database operations, including data modification, deletion, or extraction of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations running affected Drupal installations, particularly those with multiple administrative users or those that have not properly segmented their access controls. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or complete database takeover. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the Date module which is commonly used in content management systems for event scheduling and calendar management, making it a frequent target for exploitation. The fact that this vulnerability requires only the "administer Date Tools" privilege means that even users with limited administrative scope could potentially escalate their access to full database control. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which involves network service scanning and reconnaissance. Organizations with outdated Drupal installations are particularly vulnerable, as the vulnerability was patched in version 6.x-2.8, making timely patch management critical for mitigating this risk. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper database query sanitization in web applications. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input that bypasses normal validation checks and injects additional SQL commands into the query execution flow, which then gets processed by the database engine with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1626 focus primarily on immediate patching of the Date module to version 6.x-2.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access control measures to limit the number of users with the "administer Date Tools" privilege, following the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and monitoring should be employed to detect unusual database access patterns or unauthorized SQL command execution attempts. Database query logging and auditing should be enabled to track potential exploitation attempts, while input validation should be strengthened across all user-facing forms within the Drupal environment. Security headers and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against injection attacks, though these are considered supplementary measures to the primary patching requirement. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar issues in other modules or components of the Drupal installation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing proper code review processes that include security testing for database interactions. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls that limit the privileges of web application accounts to only those database operations necessary for application functionality. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched module to ensure that no regressions or unintended side effects occur in the date management functionality of the Drupal site.