CVE-2014-5170
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Drupal's Storage API module allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. It occurs because the module fails to update .htaccess file contents after a previous security fix, potentially allowing file uploads to bypass security restrictions. All Drupal 7.x sites using Storage API module versions before 1.6 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Drupal Storage API module
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Remote attackers upload malicious files that execute arbitrary code, gaining control of the Drupal site and potentially the underlying server.
If Mitigated
If proper file permission controls and web server security configurations are in place, impact may be limited to file upload directory access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation leverages known .htaccess bypass techniques from SA-CORE-2013-003. Attackers can upload malicious files that execute when accessed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.x-1.6
Vendor Advisory: https://www.drupal.org/node/2312655
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Storage API module to version 7.x-1.6 or later. 2. Navigate to Drupal admin panel. 3. Go to Modules section. 4. Update Storage API module. 5. Clear Drupal caches.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Manual .htaccess update
allManually update .htaccess files in file upload directories to include proper security restrictions
# Review and update .htaccess files in sites/default/files and other upload directories
# Ensure they contain proper 'Deny from all' and file type restrictions
Disable Storage API module
linuxTemporarily disable the vulnerable module until patching is possible
drush pm-disable storage_api
# Or via Drupal admin interface: Modules > Storage API > Uncheck 'Enabled'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file upload validation and filtering at web server level (Apache/Nginx)
- Restrict file permissions on upload directories and monitor for suspicious file uploads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Storage API module version in Drupal admin panel or via drush: drush pm-list | grep storage_apiCheck Version:
drush pmi storage_api | grep VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Storage API module version is 7.x-1.6 or later and verify .htaccess files contain proper security directives📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to Drupal file directories
- Execution of PHP or other executable files from upload directories
- Web server errors related to .htaccess parsing
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to unusual file extensions in upload directories
- File uploads bypassing normal validation
SIEM Query:
web_access_logs WHERE (uri CONTAINS '/sites/default/files/' AND (uri ENDS WITH '.php' OR uri ENDS WITH '.phtml')) OR (user_agent CONTAINS 'malicious' AND uri CONTAINS 'upload')🔗 References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/31/4
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/95054
- https://www.drupal.org/node/2312655
- https://www.drupal.org/node/2312769
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/31/4
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/95054
- https://www.drupal.org/node/2312655
- https://www.drupal.org/node/2312769
