CVE-2012-1638 in Search Autocomplete
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Search Autocomplete module before 7.x-2.1 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "use search_autocomplete" permission to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1638 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Search Autocomplete module for Drupal 7.x versions prior to 2.1. This security weakness specifically targets authenticated users who possess the "use search_autocomplete" permission, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the module's search functionality, allowing crafted malicious input to be interpreted as executable SQL code rather than mere search parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the Search Autocomplete module's processing logic. When authenticated users submit search queries through the affected module, the system fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. This failure creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL syntax that gets executed by the database engine, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of improper input handling in web applications. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, application configuration data, or even administrative credentials stored within the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1638 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially achieve full system compromise. Since the vulnerability requires only the "use search_autocomplete" permission, which is often granted to regular users within Drupal installations, the attack surface is relatively broad. This means that even users with limited privileges can exploit the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database contents. The attack vector operates through the standard search functionality of the Drupal platform, making it difficult to detect through conventional network monitoring approaches. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1046 for Network Service Discovery, as attackers may use the compromised database to further explore network resources and identify additional attack vectors within the infrastructure. Organizations running affected Drupal installations face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1638 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and access control measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Drupal 7.x-2.1 or later versions of the Search Autocomplete module, which contain proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that only necessary users possess the "use search_autocomplete" permission, reducing the potential attack surface. Database-level protections including query parameterization and privilege separation should be implemented to minimize the impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other modules or components of the Drupal installation, ensuring comprehensive protection against related threats.