CVE-2007-3689 in Print module
Summary
by MITRE
The Print module before 4.7-1.0 and 5.x before 5.x-1.2 for Drupal allows remote attackers to read restricted posts in (1) Organic Groups, (2) Taxonomy Access Control, (3) Taxonomy Access Lite, and other unspecified node access modules, via modified URL arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3689 represents a critical access control flaw within the Drupal content management system's print module ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects Drupal versions prior to 4.7-1.0 and 5.x before 5.x-1.2, where the print module fails to properly validate user permissions when processing URL arguments. The flaw enables remote attackers to bypass node access controls and retrieve restricted content that should only be accessible to authorized users within specific groups or taxonomy terms. The vulnerability impacts multiple node access modules including Organic Groups, Taxonomy Access Control, and Taxonomy Access Lite, creating a widespread security risk across Drupal installations that rely on these access control mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of URL arguments that are processed by the print module. When users attempt to access print functionality for nodes that should be restricted based on their group membership or taxonomy permissions, the print module does not properly verify whether the requesting user has adequate access rights. This occurs because the module fails to implement proper authorization checks before rendering content for printing, allowing attackers to construct modified URLs that bypass normal access control enforcement mechanisms. The flaw essentially creates a path traversal condition where unauthorized users can access content that would normally be restricted based on user roles, group memberships, or taxonomy term permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it allows attackers to access sensitive content that may contain confidential data, proprietary information, or restricted communications. In environments where Drupal is used for collaborative platforms, community sites, or enterprise content management, this vulnerability could enable unauthorized access to private group discussions, restricted documents, or sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability affects the core security model of Drupal's node access system, potentially compromising the integrity of access control policies implemented through various node access modules. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to systematically enumerate restricted content across different taxonomy terms or group memberships, creating a comprehensive view of protected information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to version 4.7-1.0 or 5.x-1.2, which contain the necessary authorization checks to prevent URL argument manipulation. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to monitor for suspicious URL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those involving print module endpoints with modified arguments. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all node access module configurations to ensure that proper access controls remain in place. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks that could be addressed through proper input validation and access control enforcement. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and credential access techniques, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to restricted resources without proper authentication or authorization. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms around print module usage to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails of access to sensitive content.