CVE-2012-4479 in Drag
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Drag & Drop Gallery module 6.x for Drupal allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2018
The CVE-2012-4479 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Drag & Drop Gallery module version 6.x for Drupal content management systems. This vulnerability exists within the module's handling of user input parameters that are processed through database queries without proper sanitization or validation. The issue stems from the module's failure to adequately escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL command structures, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious input that gets executed as part of SQL commands within the module's database interactions. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple input points within the gallery module could potentially be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may not be immediately apparent which specific parameters are vulnerable. This lack of specificity in the vulnerability description indicates a broader class of input handling issues rather than a single, isolated flaw.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Drupal installations using the affected module. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents, modifying or deleting data, and even escalating privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could manipulate the gallery module's functionality to serve malicious content or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects Drupal 6.x installations specifically, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet migrated to newer versions of the platform.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers may use database protocols as part of their attack chain. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or removing the vulnerable module until a patched version is available, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, comprehensive database access controls and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire Drupal installation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of keeping content management systems updated and maintaining proper security hygiene practices to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in third-party modules.