CVE-2008-1731 in Simple Access
Summary
by MITRE
The Simple Access module for Drupal 5.x through 5.x-1.2-2 does not properly handle the privacy information for nodes, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions, and read or modify nodes, in opportunistic circumstances related to interaction between Simple Access and (1) Node clone or (2) Project issue tracking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1731 resides within the Simple Access module for Drupal version 5.x through 5.x-1.2-2, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This module is designed to manage node-level access permissions within Drupal's content management framework, yet it fails to properly validate and enforce privacy restrictions when specific user interactions occur. The flaw manifests particularly when Simple Access interacts with two distinct Drupal components: the Node clone functionality and the Project issue tracking system. The vulnerability creates a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the inconsistent handling of node privacy information to gain unauthorized access to content that should remain restricted. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege that Drupal's access control system is designed to enforce, allowing malicious actors to bypass intended security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control checks within the Simple Access module's interaction with node management functions. When users attempt to clone nodes or interact with project issue tracking features, the module does not adequately verify whether the current user possesses the necessary permissions to access the target node's content. This oversight creates a window of opportunity where attackers can manipulate the system's access control mechanisms through carefully crafted requests that exploit the interaction between Simple Access and these specific Drupal components. The vulnerability's opportunistic nature indicates that it requires specific conditions to be met for exploitation, typically involving the simultaneous use of multiple Drupal modules that interact with node data. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation through information disclosure and potential data modification, as the system fails to properly validate the user's authorization status during these specific interaction scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1731 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential data integrity compromise and unauthorized content modification. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can access sensitive content that should be restricted to specific user roles or groups, potentially exposing confidential information, private communications, or proprietary data within Drupal-based systems. The ability to read restricted nodes undermines the confidentiality guarantees that organizations rely upon when implementing content management solutions, while the potential for modification suggests that attackers could also alter content to introduce malicious data or disrupt system operations. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Drupal 5.x versions with the Simple Access module, creating a significant risk for websites that host sensitive information or require strict access controls. The exploitability conditions suggest that the vulnerability is most likely to be successful in environments where both Node clone functionality and Project issue tracking are actively used, making it a targeted risk for specific deployment configurations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of available patches or updates to the Simple Access module. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to a patched version of the module that properly validates access controls during node interaction scenarios, or alternatively implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious access patterns. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of their Drupal installations to identify all instances where the Simple Access module is in use and verify that proper access control configurations are in place. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-284 indicates it represents an improper access control issue, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, as attackers may need to leverage legitimate user accounts to exploit the module's weaknesses. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access control checks for all node-related operations, including cloning and issue tracking functions, would provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.