CVE-2012-5552 in Password policy
Summary
by MITRE
The Password policy module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.5 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal allows remote attackers to obtain password hashes by sniffing the network, related to "client-side password history checks."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5552 affects the Password policy module in Drupal versions 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.5 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3, representing a significant security flaw that undermines password protection mechanisms through network sniffing attacks. This issue stems from inadequate implementation of client-side password history checks that fail to properly secure password hash transmission during user authentication processes. The vulnerability exposes sensitive authentication data to man-in-the-middle attacks and network monitoring tools, creating opportunities for unauthorized access to user accounts and system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the module's improper handling of password hash transmission, where client-side validation mechanisms fail to adequately protect password information during network communication. This weakness allows attackers to intercept password hashes through network sniffing operations, effectively bypassing server-side security controls that should normally protect such sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically relates to the module's failure to implement proper cryptographic protection for password history checks, enabling attackers to capture authentication credentials during legitimate user interactions with the Drupal system. This flaw directly corresponds to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weakness vulnerabilities in authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through unauthorized administrative access. Attackers who obtain password hashes can potentially perform password cracking operations, conduct credential stuffing attacks against other systems, or use the compromised credentials to escalate privileges within the Drupal environment. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of Drupal installations, particularly those relying on the Password policy module for enhanced authentication controls. Organizations using affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to inadequate protection of user authentication data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to versions 6.x-1.5 or 7.x-1.3, which contain the necessary security fixes to properly implement password hash protection. System administrators should also implement network-level security controls including encrypted communication protocols such as tls 1.2 or higher to prevent interception of password information during transmission. Additional defensive measures include network monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns, implementation of intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of credential compromise and establish robust incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation of this vulnerability. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110, which focuses on credential access and the exploitation of authentication system weaknesses through network-based attacks.