CVE-2007-1368 in Drupal Project Issue Tracking
Summary
by MITRE
The Project issue tracking module before 4.7.x-1.3, 4.7.x-2.* before 4.7.x-2.3, and 5 before 5.x-0.2-beta for Drupal allows remote authenticated users, with "access project issues" permission, to read the contents of a private node via a URL with a modified node identifier.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1368 represents a significant access control flaw within the Drupal project issue tracking module that affected multiple version ranges including 4.7.x prior to 1.3, 4.7.x-2.* prior to 2.3, and 5.x prior to 0.2-beta. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the module's node access controls, creating a scenario where authenticated users with minimal permissions could bypass intended security restrictions. The vulnerability operates through a manipulation of URL parameters, specifically by modifying node identifiers, which allows unauthorized access to private content that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the project module's failure to properly validate node access permissions when processing user requests. When an authenticated user with "access project issues" permission attempts to access a node through a modified URL, the system does not adequately verify whether the user possesses sufficient privileges to view the specific node content. This weakness falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-285, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions on resources. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic privilege escalation pattern where a user with limited permissions can escalate their access level through manipulation of URL parameters, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential vector for data exfiltration and unauthorized access to sensitive project information. Attackers could exploit this flaw to access private project documentation, issue reports, or other confidential data that should only be visible to project maintainers or authorized team members. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Drupal is used for internal project management, as it could lead to the exposure of proprietary information, strategic project details, or sensitive development data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes valid accounts being used to gain access to systems, as the attacker leverages existing authenticated sessions to access restricted content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches and updates to the affected Drupal modules. Organizations should upgrade to versions that have addressed the access control validation issues and implement proper input sanitization measures to prevent URL parameter manipulation. The recommended approach includes applying the official security patches released by the Drupal project, which typically involve strengthening the node access validation logic and ensuring that all node identifier requests are properly authenticated against the user's permission levels. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual access patterns and URL parameter modifications can provide early warning capabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing role-based access controls that limit the scope of user permissions and establish proper audit trails to track access attempts to sensitive project data. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the necessity of thorough security testing for all modules that handle user permissions and content access within content management systems.