CVE-2016-3168 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The System module in Drupal 6.x before 6.38 and 7.x before 7.43 might allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of site administrators for requests that download and run files with arbitrary JSON-encoded content, aka a "reflected file download vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3168 represents a critical security flaw within the Drupal content management system that affects both Drupal 6 and 7 versions. This issue resides within the System module component and creates a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate administrative sessions through a sophisticated reflected file download attack vector. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism of site administrators, allowing malicious actors to potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions and compromise entire Drupal installations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a reflected file download mechanism where attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by administrators, trigger the download of files containing arbitrary JSON-encoded content. This flaw leverages the way Drupal processes certain HTTP requests and handles file downloads, creating a scenario where legitimate administrative sessions can be hijacked. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system through the download and execution of JSON-encoded payloads that bypass normal security checks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to Drupal-based websites and applications, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative control over affected systems. The reflected file download attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious URL, making it particularly effective in phishing campaigns or when administrators are tricked into clicking on compromised links. Once exploited, attackers can modify website content, install malicious modules, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and reflects the broader category of insecure deserialization issues that have plagued web applications. It also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as the exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the downloaded JSON content. Organizations running affected Drupal versions face significant exposure to data breaches, service disruption, and potential compromise of their entire web infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly wide as it affects not just the core CMS functionality but also extends to any administrative interfaces that rely on the vulnerable System module.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3168 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to versions 6.38 and 7.43 respectively, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious file download requests, along with comprehensive monitoring of administrative sessions and file download activities. Additional defensive measures include restricting administrative access to trusted IP ranges, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting regular security audits of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle such privilege escalation attacks and ensure that all administrative users are educated about the risks of visiting untrusted URLs.