CVE-2015-4348 in Spider Contacts Module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Spider Contacts module for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "access Spider Contacts category administration" permission to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The CVE-2015-4348 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Spider Contacts module for the Drupal content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess the "access Spider Contacts category administration" permission, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The vulnerability exists in the module's handling of user-supplied input within database queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying sql execution flow through unspecified attack vectors. The spider contacts module is commonly used for managing contact information and directory services within drupal installations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these administrative functionalities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the module's database interaction code. When authenticated users with specific administrative permissions submit data through the spider contacts interface, the module fails to properly escape or parameterize sql query components, creating opportunities for sql injection attacks. This flaw operates at the application level rather than the network level, requiring legitimate authentication credentials to exploit but potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive data. The vulnerability's classification aligns with common weakness enumeration cwe-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. The attack surface is limited to users with specific administrative permissions, but this targeted approach makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it bypasses general user authentication requirements.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4348 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system. This capability allows for complete database compromise, including data exfiltration, data modification, and potential privilege escalation within the database environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, contact details, and potentially other organizational data stored within the spider contacts module. The vulnerability also presents a risk for lateral movement within the network if database credentials are compromised, as attackers could use elevated database access to explore other connected systems. This threat is particularly significant in enterprise environments where drupal installations often serve as critical business applications with extensive user data and operational dependencies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4348 should prioritize immediate patching of the spider contacts module to the latest secure version that addresses the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict access controls to limit the number of users with "access Spider Contacts category administration" permissions, following the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and database access controls should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and sql injection detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and code reviews of drupal modules should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries as outlined in the owasp top ten and mitre attack framework, particularly in the context of administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can be exploited for maximum impact. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive monitoring and logging of database activities to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.