CVE-2015-7877 in Dashboard Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the User Dashboard module 7.x before 7.x-1.4 for Drupal allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7877 represents a critical security flaw within the User Dashboard module for Drupal version 7.x prior to 7.x-1.4. This issue falls under the category of SQL injection vulnerabilities as classified by CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The User Dashboard module, designed to provide administrative functionality for managing user accounts and dashboard configurations, contained code paths that failed to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. These vulnerabilities were particularly concerning because they existed within a module that was commonly used for administrative tasks, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameterized query handling within the module's codebase. Attackers could exploit these weaknesses by submitting malicious input through unspecified vectors that would then be processed without proper sanitization. This allows for the injection of arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it could allow attackers to modify database schemas, extract sensitive user information, or even escalate privileges to administrative levels within the Drupal system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple entry points within the dashboard module's functionality, making it particularly challenging to defend against completely.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Drupal installations using the affected User Dashboard module. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments. The impact on system integrity and data confidentiality is severe, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to user accounts. Organizations relying on Drupal for content management, user authentication, or administrative functions face potential exposure to credential theft, data manipulation, or service disruption. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials obtained through exploitation of remote services, potentially enabling attackers to maintain persistent access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7877 center on immediate patching of the User Dashboard module to version 7.x-1.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures and ensure all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate SQL injection attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other modules or components that might be susceptible to similar injection vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw often indicates broader code quality issues that require systematic review and remediation across the entire application stack.