CVE-2009-3352 in Quota by role
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the quota_by_role (Quota by role) module for Drupal have unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2017
The CVE-2009-3352 vulnerability affects the quota_by_role module in Drupal content management systems, representing a significant security concern due to its unspecified nature and potential for exploitation. This module is designed to manage user quotas based on role assignments within Drupal environments, making it a critical component for organizations that rely on role-based access control mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the module's handling of user permissions and resource allocation, creating potential entry points for malicious actors seeking to manipulate system resources or escalate privileges.
The technical flaw within the quota_by_role module stems from inadequate input validation and permission checking mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate quota assignments and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The unspecified nature of the vulnerabilities suggests that multiple attack vectors may exist, ranging from privilege escalation to resource exhaustion attacks. The module's failure to properly validate user roles and permissions creates opportunities for authenticated users to exploit weaknesses in the quota management system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to restricted resources or services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire Drupal installation's access control framework. Organizations relying on role-based quota management may experience unauthorized resource consumption, data breaches, or complete system compromise if attackers successfully exploit these unspecified vulnerabilities. The attack vectors remain unknown, which means security teams must assume that multiple exploitation paths exist, potentially including cross-site scripting, injection attacks, or manipulation of quota assignment parameters. This uncertainty makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as traditional security measures may not adequately protect against all possible attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3352 should focus on immediate module updates and thorough security assessments of all role-based access control implementations. Organizations must ensure that the quota_by_role module is updated to the latest secure version, as this vulnerability was likely addressed through proper input validation and permission checking mechanisms. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring of user access patterns and quota modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough penetration testing of their Drupal installations to identify any additional vulnerabilities in related modules or core system components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches including network segmentation, regular security audits, and proper access control reviews.