CVE-2009-2237 in Views Bulk Operations
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Views Bulk Operations 5.x-1.x before 5.x-1.4 and 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.7, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and modify "nodes or classes of nodes" via unknown vectors, probably related to registered procedures (aka actions).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2237 affects the Views Bulk Operations module within the Drupal content management system, specifically impacting versions 5.x-1.x before 5.x-1.4 and 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.7. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of Drupal installations relying on this module. The vulnerability resides in the module's handling of bulk operations and actions, creating a pathway for unauthorized modification of content that should be protected by access controls.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified attack vectors that likely involve manipulation of registered procedures or actions within the Views Bulk Operations framework. This allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions that should normally prevent unauthorized users from modifying nodes or classes of nodes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the module level where bulk operations are typically expected to respect user permissions and access controls. The issue stems from inadequate validation of user privileges when executing bulk operations, creating a scenario where attackers can leverage legitimate module functionality to perform unauthorized modifications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized modifications to content within Drupal sites, potentially leading to data integrity compromises, content tampering, and unauthorized changes to website structure. The ability to modify "nodes or classes of nodes" suggests that attackers could manipulate multiple pieces of content simultaneously, amplifying the potential damage. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can result in complete compromise of content management capabilities for sites using affected versions of the Views Bulk Operations module.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to patched versions of the Views Bulk Operations module, specifically versions 5.x-1.4 and 6.x-1.7 or later. Organizations should also implement additional access controls and monitoring of bulk operation activities within their Drupal installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically targeting improper access control mechanisms within web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as attackers may need to first obtain valid credentials before leveraging this access control bypass. Regular security audits and patch management processes become critical to prevent exploitation of similar access control vulnerabilities in Drupal modules and the broader ecosystem.