CVE-2008-4791 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The user module in Drupal 5.x before 5.11 and 6.x before 6.5 might allow remote authenticated users to bypass intended login access rules and successfully login via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4791 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Drupal content management system affecting versions 5.x prior to 5.11 and 6.x prior to 6.5. This issue resides within the user module component that governs user authentication and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to exploit unknown vectors that circumvent the intended login access rules, potentially enabling unauthorized system access. The flaw specifically impacts the authentication process where legitimate users might be able to bypass security controls that should prevent them from accessing certain system resources or performing administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control checks within the user authentication subsystem. When users attempt to log in or access protected resources, the system fails to properly verify that the authenticated user possesses the necessary permissions for the requested operations. This weakness creates a pathway where authenticated users can manipulate their session or request parameters to gain access to restricted functionality. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires an attacker to already possess valid credentials, making it an authenticated attack vector rather than a purely remote exploit. This characteristic aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4791 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges within the Drupal environment. Since the vulnerability affects the core user authentication module, successful exploitation could enable attackers to access administrative interfaces, modify user permissions, or manipulate content management functions. This scenario creates significant risk for organizations relying on Drupal for their web presence, as compromised authenticated accounts could lead to complete system takeover. The attack vector operates through the web application layer and typically requires the attacker to have valid user credentials, making it a post-authentication privilege escalation issue that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their Drupal installations to version 5.11 or 6.5, which contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any compromised accounts that may have exploited this vulnerability during its active period. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access control policies, monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activities, and ensuring that user accounts follow principle of least privilege. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper access control implementation in web application security frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as multi-factor authentication and enhanced session management to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in production environments.