CVE-2011-1661 in Node Quick Find
Summary
by MITRE
The Node Quick Find module 6.x-1.1 for Drupal does not use db_rewrite_sql when presenting node titles, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and read potentially sensitive node titles via the autocomplete feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1661 affects the Node Quick Find module version 6.x-1.1 within the Drupal content management system, representing a significant access control flaw that undermines the security model of the platform. This module, designed to provide quick search functionality for node titles, fails to implement proper database query rewriting mechanisms that would normally enforce access restrictions. The flaw exists specifically within the autocomplete feature where node titles are presented to users, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure that bypasses Drupal's standard permission systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the module's failure to utilize the db_rewrite_sql function, which is a core Drupal database abstraction layer designed to automatically apply access restrictions to database queries. When the Node Quick Find module processes autocomplete requests for node titles, it directly queries the database without applying the necessary SQL rewriting that would normally filter results based on user permissions. This omission allows attackers to construct malicious requests that can retrieve node titles from content they should not normally be able to access, effectively bypassing the permission system that governs content visibility.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to gather intelligence about the content structure and potentially sensitive information contained within the Drupal site. Remote attackers can systematically exploit this flaw to enumerate node titles across different permission levels, potentially discovering unpublished content, private documents, or other sensitive materials that should remain hidden from unauthorized users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through a legitimate feature designed for user convenience, making it less likely to raise immediate security alerts and allowing for prolonged exploitation without detection.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates how the absence of proper database query filtering can lead to unauthorized information disclosure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a privilege escalation technique through information gathering, specifically targeting the credential access and discovery phases of an attack. The flaw also relates to CWE-693, which covers protection mechanism failures, as the module fails to properly implement the access control protections that should normally be enforced by the Drupal core database abstraction layer.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1661 require immediate action including updating to a patched version of the Node Quick Find module or disabling the problematic autocomplete feature entirely. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring around autocomplete endpoints to detect unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all contributed modules to identify similar implementation flaws where database queries might bypass access controls. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all modules utilizing database queries for user-facing features properly implement db_rewrite_sql to maintain consistency with Drupal's core security model and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party extensions.