CVE-2007-1033 in Secure Site Module
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Secure site 4.7.x-1.x-dev and 5.x-1.x-dev module for Drupal allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1033 affects the Secure site module version 4.7.x-1.x-dev and 5.x-1.x-dev within the Drupal content management system. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of Drupal installations relying on this module. The vulnerability manifests through a specific manipulation of URL parameters that allows unauthorized users to circumvent intended access restrictions, potentially granting them privileges they should not possess. Such bypasses can lead to unauthorized access to protected content, administrative functions, or sensitive data within the Drupal environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the Secure site module's URL handling mechanism. Attackers can craft specific URL patterns that exploit implementation gaps in how the module processes access requests, effectively allowing them to bypass authentication and authorization checks that should normally prevent unauthorized access. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of access control bypass, which is commonly classified as CWE-284 Access Control Bypass or CWE-285 Improper Authorization within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, where users can access resources beyond their designated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over affected Drupal installations. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local system access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing web environments. The implications include potential data breaches, content manipulation, user credential theft, and complete system compromise depending on the scope of access granted through the bypass. Organizations running vulnerable Drupal systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to patched versions of the Secure site module, implementing proper access control measures, and conducting thorough security assessments of affected systems. Organizations should also review and strengthen their URL validation processes, implement web application firewalls, and establish monitoring procedures to detect suspicious access patterns. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of updated modules to ensure compatibility and security while maintaining system functionality. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional authentication layers as defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper module vetting processes within open source content management systems.