CVE-2012-4471 in Search Autocomplete
Summary
by MITRE
The Search Autocomplete module 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.4 for Drupal does not properly restrict access to the module admin page, which allows remote attackers to disable an autocompletion or change the priority order via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4471 affects the Search Autocomplete module version 7.x-2.x prior to 7.x-2.4 in the Drupal content management system. This security flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the integrity of the module's administrative functions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks on the module's administrative interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized actors to manipulate core search functionality parameters. The affected module operates within Drupal's framework where it manages autocomplete suggestions for search queries, making it a potentially impactful vector for malicious activity within web applications that rely on Drupal's search capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper access validation mechanisms within the Search Autocomplete module's administrative pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized modifications to the autocompletion settings without proper authentication or authorization. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces exist within the module's administrative interface, potentially allowing for both disabling autocompletion features and altering priority orders of search suggestions. This type of flaw typically falls under the category of inadequate access control as defined by CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in security-critical functions. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where administrative functions should only be accessible to authorized users with appropriate permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for Drupal installations that utilize the Search Autocomplete module. Remote attackers can disrupt search functionality by disabling autocompletion features, potentially impacting user experience and the overall usability of the website. Additionally, modifying priority orders could lead to manipulation of search results, potentially directing users toward malicious content or away from legitimate information. The impact extends beyond simple disruption to include potential data integrity concerns where search suggestions might be altered to mislead users or compromise the website's information architecture. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation and T1499 which addresses tampering with backup and restore processes, though the specific impact here is more focused on administrative access control.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 7.x-2.4 or later of the Search Autocomplete module. The recommended mitigation strategy involves ensuring all Drupal installations maintain current security updates and regularly review module permissions to prevent unauthorized access. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect unusual administrative activities related to search functionality and establish proper access controls for administrative interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining updated security practices and the necessity of thorough testing for access control mechanisms within web applications. Regular security audits should include verification of administrative interface access controls and proper authorization checks for all module functions. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting administrative interfaces. The incident underscores the critical nature of maintaining security patches and the potential consequences of outdated module versions in enterprise web environments.