CVE-2009-3207 in ImageCache
Summary
by MITRE
The ImageCache module 5.x before 5.x-2.5 and 6.x before 6.x-2.0-beta10, a module for Drupal, when the private file system is used, does not properly perform access control for derivative images, which allows remote attackers to view arbitrary images via a request that specifies an image s filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2019
The CVE-2009-3207 vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in the Drupal ImageCache module that affects versions prior to 5.x-2.5 and 6.x-2.0-beta10. This vulnerability specifically targets deployments utilizing Drupal's private file system configuration, creating a scenario where unauthorized remote attackers can bypass legitimate access controls to view derivative images. The flaw stems from improper validation of user permissions when processing image requests, allowing malicious actors to construct requests that specify arbitrary image filenames and gain unauthorized access to protected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of least privilege in web application security. When Drupal operates with a private file system, files are stored outside the web root directory and should only be accessible through proper authentication and authorization mechanisms. However, the ImageCache module fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate access rights to the specific image being requested. This oversight creates a path where attackers can manipulate the image filename parameter in their requests to access images that should be restricted to authorized users only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a complete breakdown in the application's security model for managing protected content. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive images that may contain personal information, proprietary data, or other confidential content that should remain restricted. The vulnerability affects derivative images generated by the ImageCache module, meaning that even images that have been processed through various transformations and resized for different display purposes become accessible to unauthorized parties. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Drupal for content management and assume that their private file system configuration provides adequate protection.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper authorization checks at every point in an application's request handling process. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1213, which involves data from information repositories, as attackers can extract sensitive data through unauthorized access to stored files. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Drupal should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of the ImageCache module, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and conducting thorough security audits of their file system configurations.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected Drupal installations to versions that include proper access control validation for derivative images. Additionally, system administrators should review their private file system configurations to ensure that all image processing modules properly enforce access controls. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of image requests that might indicate exploitation attempts, and access logs should be reviewed for evidence of unauthorized access to protected content. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide layered protection against similar vulnerabilities.