Mitigation Instructions for Drupal SEoL (8.x)

Subject: Mitigating Vulnerability in Unsupported Drupal 8.x

Tech Stack: Drupal 8.x

Date(s) Issued:

• Published: 09/29/2023
• Last Updated: 11/02/2023

Criticality:

• CVSS v3 Score: 10.0 (Critical)
• Risk Factor: Critical

Overview:
The vulnerability arises because Drupal 8.x has reached its end-of-life (EoL) and is no longer maintained or supported by its vendor. Lack of support implies that no new security patches are released for this version, leaving the platform exposed to any vulnerabilities discovered after the EoL date. This exposure means attackers can potentially exploit vulnerabilities with no available fixes, which may lead to severe consequences such as data breaches, site defacement, or full system compromise.

Solution/Mitigation

To mitigate this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:

1. Upgrade to a Supported Version:

   • Immediate Action: Upgrade Drupal to the latest supported version (currently Drupal 9 or higher). Drupal 9+ versions are actively maintained and regularly updated with security patches.
   • Recommended Version: Upgrade to Drupal 9 or later. Check the Drupal official site for guidance on supported versions and the upgrade process.

2. Backup the Current System:

   • Data and Configuration Backup: Before performing an upgrade, ensure you have a complete backup of your Drupal site, including the database and all configuration files.
   • Test the Backup: Verify that the backup can be restored to ensure no data loss occurs during the upgrade process.

3. Alternative Measures (If Upgrade Is Not Immediately Feasible):

   • Restrict Access: If an upgrade is not possible right away, limit access to the Drupal site to trusted IPs only. Implement IP whitelisting through your web server or firewall.
   • Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF to add an extra layer of protection. Configure the WAF to block potential attack vectors against Drupal installations.

4. Sanitize Input and Update Modules:

   • Input Sanitization: Ensure any custom modules or themes in use properly sanitize user inputs to reduce the risk of attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS).
   • Update Modules: Keep all Drupal modules up to date, and remove any that are not actively maintained or no longer necessary.

5. Network Segmentation:

   • Network Isolation: Where possible, segment the Drupal server from other critical network assets. This limits the lateral movement of an attacker if the Drupal site is compromised.

6. Monitor the Environment:

   • Log Monitoring: Implement logging and monitoring to detect any unusual activity on the Drupal server.
   • Security Alerts: Set up alerts for suspicious access attempts and utilize intrusion detection/prevention systems to further guard against attacks.

Confirmation & Additional Information

• Verification of Mitigation:

  • Successful Upgrade: Verify that the site is running the upgraded Drupal version by accessing the admin panel or using the command-line interface (drush).
  • Vulnerability Scan: Re-run a vulnerability scan to ensure that the vulnerability is no longer detected. Contact support@CyRisk.com to request a quote for a comprehensive vulnerability scan if needed.

• Staying Updated:

  • Regularly monitor the Drupal Security Advisories for updates.
  • Subscribe to Drupal's security mailing list to receive timely notifications regarding new vulnerabilities and patches.

• Additional Resources:

  • For further information on upgrading Drupal, see the official upgrade guide: Upgrading from Drupal 8 to Drupal 9.

Implementing these measures will significantly reduce the risk posed by the unsupported Drupal version and help maintain the security of your environment. Please proceed with these actions as a matter of urgency given the critical severity of the vulnerability.