CVE-2012-5007 in fillpdf
Summary
by MITRE
The Fill PDF module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary PDF files via unspecified vectors related to the fillpdf_merge_pdf function and incorrect arguments, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-1625. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The CVE-2012-5007 vulnerability affects the Fill PDF module version 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.2 in the Drupal content management system, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate PDF files through improper argument handling within the fillpdf_merge_pdf function. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's ability to merge PDF documents, creating an opportunity for unauthorized file system modifications that could lead to data corruption or malicious file injection. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper argument processing, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths and potentially overwrite critical system files or inject malicious content into PDF documents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the fillpdf_merge_pdf function receiving incorrect arguments that bypass normal file access controls, enabling attackers to manipulate the PDF generation and merging process. This flaw operates at the application level within the Drupal framework, where the module fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters that influence file system operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file manipulation as it could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions by overwriting critical system files. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with common weakness patterns identified in the CWE database, particularly those related to improper input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to Drupal installations using the Fill PDF module, as remote attackers can exploit it without requiring authentication or privileged access. The attack surface includes any system where the module is deployed and accessible over the network, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in data integrity compromise, unauthorized file modifications, or potential system compromise depending on the permissions of the web application process. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability operates independently from CVE-2012-1625, indicating separate attack vectors and underlying implementation flaws that require distinct mitigation approaches.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Fill PDF module to version 7.x-1.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the argument validation issues. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable Drupal installations to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring for unusual file system activity or PDF generation patterns could help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and resource hijacking, as attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources or manipulate application data. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities in the future.