CVE-2012-5547 in Search API
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the Search API module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) enable a server via a server action or (2) enable a search index via an enable index action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2018
The CVE-2012-5547 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Search API module for Drupal versions 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.3. This vulnerability specifically targets administrative functions within the Drupal content management system, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on the platform. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate administrative sessions through forged requests, potentially allowing unauthorized access to critical system functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative capabilities rather than merely user-facing features, making it a severe threat to system integrity and security posture.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the lack of proper authentication verification mechanisms within the Search API module's administrative interfaces. Attackers can construct malicious web pages or send specially crafted requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, perform unintended administrative actions. The vulnerability manifests in two primary attack vectors where the malicious actor can force an administrator to enable server actions or enable search index actions without their knowledge or explicit consent. This occurs because the module fails to implement adequate CSRF token validation or session confirmation mechanisms for these specific administrative functions, allowing the exploitation to bypass normal security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5547 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to manipulate critical search functionality within the Drupal environment. When an administrator unknowingly executes a forged request, they may inadvertently enable server actions that could expose system resources or enable search indexes that provide unauthorized access to content. This vulnerability could lead to data exposure, system compromise, or disruption of services depending on the specific actions enabled through the forged requests. The risk is compounded by the fact that administrators typically trust the system's administrative interfaces, making them more susceptible to these types of attacks. Organizations with sensitive data or those operating high-traffic websites face particularly significant risks from this vulnerability, as it could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges or manipulate search results in ways that impact user experience and data integrity.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the application's session management and authentication verification processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through administrative interface manipulation. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that administrators often visit multiple websites, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation through cross-site scripting scenarios. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to the patched version 7.x-1.3 or later, implementing additional security layers such as CSRF token validation at the application level, and conducting thorough security reviews of all administrative interfaces. Regular security audits and monitoring for unauthorized administrative actions should also be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain overall system security posture.