CVE-2008-2771 in Node Hierarchy module
Summary
by MITRE
The Node Hierarchy module 5.x before 5.x-1.1 and 6.x before 6.x-1.0 for Drupal does not properly implement access checks, which allows remote attackers with "access content" permissions to bypass restrictions and modify the node hierarchy via unspecified attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2771 affects the Node Hierarchy module in Drupal versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.1 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.0, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the content management system. This module is designed to manage hierarchical relationships between nodes, allowing content creators to establish parent-child relationships within their Drupal sites. The flaw lies in the improper implementation of access controls within this module, creating a pathway for unauthorized modifications to the node hierarchy structure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the module's failure to properly validate user permissions when processing requests to modify node hierarchy relationships. Attackers with minimal permissions, specifically the "access content" role, can exploit this weakness to bypass intended access restrictions and manipulate the hierarchical structure of nodes within the Drupal system. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where users with limited capabilities can gain elevated access to system functionality through flawed authorization checks. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that the vulnerability may be exploitable through multiple entry points within the module's processing logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it allows attackers to fundamentally alter the organizational structure of content within Drupal sites. This can lead to information disclosure through the creation of unauthorized access paths, data corruption through improper node relationships, and potential denial of service conditions when the hierarchical structure becomes compromised. The vulnerability affects the core integrity of Drupal's content management capabilities and could enable attackers to create misleading content hierarchies that might be used for social engineering or information warfare purposes.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078, which involves valid accounts and privilege escalation. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the module does not adequately enforce the separation of concerns between different user roles. Organizations running affected Drupal installations face significant risk of content manipulation and potential information leakage, as attackers can construct complex access paths through the node hierarchy that circumvent normal content access controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the Node Hierarchy module to versions 5.x-1.1 or 6.x-1.0, which contain the necessary access control fixes. Administrators should also implement additional monitoring of node hierarchy modifications and consider restricting the "access content" permission to trusted users only. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough access control testing in contributed modules and demonstrates why organizations should maintain strict update policies for all Drupal components. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all contributed modules to identify similar access control weaknesses that might exist in other parts of their Drupal installations.