CVE-2012-2302 in Sitedoc
Summary
by MITRE
Site Documentation (Sitedoc) module for Drupal 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.4 does not properly check the save location when archiving, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2302 affects the Site Documentation module for Drupal version 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.4, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of file handling operations within the content management system. This issue specifically targets the module's archive functionality where it fails to properly validate the destination path when storing archived files, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path sanitization within the archive saving mechanism of the Sitedoc module. When users attempt to archive documentation files, the system does not adequately verify the target directory path before writing files to disk, allowing attackers to manipulate the save location through crafted input parameters or request vectors. This flaw operates at the intersection of improper input validation and insecure file operations, which aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (Restriction of Files with Dangerous Extensions) categories. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially write files to unintended locations or access existing files through directory traversal techniques, thereby compromising the confidentiality of system data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential foothold for further exploitation within the Drupal environment. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can access sensitive files that may contain database credentials, configuration settings, user information, or other system artifacts that could facilitate additional attacks. The vulnerability affects the broader Drupal ecosystem by weakening the security posture of installations that rely on the Sitedoc module for documentation management, particularly in environments where multiple users have access to documentation archiving features. This issue directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables adversaries to enumerate and extract sensitive data from system repositories.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-2302 primarily focus on immediate remediation through module updates to version 6.x-1.4 or later, which contain proper path validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Drupal installations receive timely security updates, particularly for contributed modules that may not receive the same level of security scrutiny as core components. Additional protective measures include restricting file upload and archive operations to trusted administrative users only, implementing proper file system permissions that limit write access to necessary directories, and conducting regular security audits of contributed modules to identify potential vulnerabilities. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by monitoring for suspicious file operations and blocking potentially malicious requests that attempt to exploit path traversal mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough input validation and proper access controls in web applications, particularly in content management systems where users may have elevated privileges for content manipulation operations.