CVE-2012-2922 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The request_path function in includes/bootstrap.inc in Drupal 7.14 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via the q[] parameter to index.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2922 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Drupal content management system affecting versions 7.14 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically resides in the request_path function located within the includes/bootstrap.inc file, which processes incoming requests through the index.php entry point. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the q[] parameter to exploit the system's error handling mechanism, ultimately exposing the absolute file system path where Drupal is installed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted HTTP request that targets the Drupal bootstrap process. When the system processes the malformed q[] parameter, it triggers an error condition within the request_path function that inadvertently includes the installation path in the error message response. This occurs because the function fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before incorporating them into error reporting contexts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as it directly exposes sensitive information to unauthorized users without proper access controls or sanitization measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Drupal installations as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. The exposed installation path reveals directory structures, file locations, and potentially system-specific configurations that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use this information to plan targeted attacks against specific file locations, understand the system architecture, or identify other potential vulnerabilities within the same installation. The exposure of the absolute path also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides unauthorized parties with information that should remain confidential.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible without such path information. Security researchers have noted that this type of information exposure often serves as a precursor to more serious attacks such as local file inclusion vulnerabilities or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables adversaries to gather system information that can be used for further compromise. Organizations running affected Drupal versions should immediately apply the security patch released by the Drupal project, which addresses the improper handling of the q[] parameter in the bootstrap process. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation at the web server level, configuring error reporting to avoid exposing system paths, and monitoring for suspicious parameter manipulation attempts in web application firewalls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in web applications, particularly in how sensitive system information is managed and presented to end users or external parties.