CVE-2015-7234 in OSF Module
Summary
by MITRE
The OSF module 7.x-3.x before 7.x-3.1 for Drupal, when the OSF Ontology and OSF Import modules are enabled, allows user-assisted remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The CVE-2015-7234 vulnerability affects the OSF module version 7.x-3.x before 7.x-3.1 for Drupal platforms, representing a critical file deletion flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers with user assistance. This vulnerability specifically impacts systems where both the OSF Ontology and OSF Import modules are enabled, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows malicious actors to manipulate file system operations through carefully crafted inputs. The vulnerability's designation as user-assisted remote exploitation indicates that while the attacker cannot execute arbitrary code directly, they can influence the behavior of the system through legitimate user interactions, making the attack vector more subtle yet potentially devastating.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of file operations within the OSF module's implementation, where unspecified vectors allow attackers to manipulate file deletion processes. This typically occurs through inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data that flows into file system operations. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, and represents a path for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to delete arbitrary files on the target system, potentially compromising the entire Drupal installation or critical system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7234 extends beyond simple file deletion, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. An attacker could potentially delete critical Drupal core files, module files, or even system configuration files, resulting in complete service disruption or enabling further exploitation through privilege escalation. This vulnerability can also facilitate data loss incidents, especially when attackers target backup files, database connection files, or other critical system resources. The attack requires minimal privileges to execute, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible and frequently used.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to OSF module version 7.x-3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the file deletion flaw. The module should be disabled if the specific functionality is not required, as the vulnerability only affects systems where both the OSF Ontology and OSF Import modules are actively enabled. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file deletion patterns, and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping content management systems and their modules updated, as unpatched components represent significant attack vectors that can be leveraged for system compromise. The incident also highlights the need for proper security testing of third-party modules before deployment in production environments, as these vulnerabilities often remain undetected until exploited in the wild.