CVE-2012-3798 in Janrain Capture
Summary
by MITRE
The Janrain Capture module 6.x-1.0 and 7.x-1.0 for Drupal, when creating a local user account, allows attackers to obtain part of the initial input used to generate passwords, which makes it easier to conduct brute force password guessing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3798 affects the Janrain Capture module version 6.x-1.0 and 7.x-1.0 for the Drupal content management system, representing a significant security flaw that undermines user account protection mechanisms. This issue specifically manifests during the user account creation process when the system generates passwords for local accounts, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that directly impacts authentication security.
The technical flaw lies in the module's password generation algorithm which inadvertently reveals portions of the initial input data used to create user passwords. When attackers can obtain partial information about how passwords are constructed, they gain valuable insights that significantly reduce the complexity of brute force attacks against user accounts. This vulnerability operates under the principle of information leakage, where the system unintentionally provides attackers with fragments of the password generation process that would otherwise remain hidden.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for Drupal installations using the Janrain Capture module, as it effectively lowers the barriers for unauthorized password discovery. Attackers can leverage the leaked information to focus their brute force efforts on more targeted approaches, dramatically reducing the time and computational resources required to compromise user accounts. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where user authentication is critical and where the module's password generation process is relied upon for account security.
The security implications extend beyond simple password guessing, as this flaw aligns with several cybersecurity principles including the principle of least privilege and the need for robust authentication mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-200 Information Exposure, where sensitive information about the system's internal processes is disclosed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability also connects to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Brute Force: Password Guessing, as it provides attackers with enhanced capabilities for password recovery attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators, including upgrading to patched versions of the Janrain Capture module or implementing additional authentication controls such as account lockout mechanisms, multi-factor authentication, and enhanced password policies. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate brute force attacks. The most effective long-term solution involves replacing or updating the vulnerable module with a secure alternative that properly handles password generation without exposing internal implementation details. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential information disclosure issues within their Drupal installations and implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect similar vulnerabilities in other system components.