CVE-2012-1591 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The image module in Drupal 7.x before 7.14 does not properly check permissions when caching derivative image styles of private images, which allows remote attackers to read private image styles.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1591 affects the image module in Drupal 7.x versions prior to 7.14, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security of private content management. This issue stems from inadequate permission validation within the image caching mechanism, specifically when processing derivative image styles of private images. The flaw creates a scenario where authenticated remote attackers can exploit the system to gain unauthorized access to private image files that should normally be restricted to authorized users only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the image module's handling of derivative image generation and caching processes. When Drupal processes private images, it typically enforces access controls to ensure that only users with appropriate permissions can view or download these files. However, the flaw occurs during the caching phase where the system fails to revalidate user permissions before serving cached derivative images. This oversight allows attackers to bypass normal access controls by requesting specific image derivative URLs, potentially accessing private content through cached versions that should have been protected.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Drupal for content management, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential data. The exposure affects any private image content stored within the system, including user-uploaded files, internal documents, or proprietary media assets. Attackers can systematically enumerate and access private images by exploiting the caching mechanism, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently without requiring special privileges beyond normal user access, making detection challenging.
The weakness manifests as a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement, aligning with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected Drupal versions face potential compliance violations under various data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX, depending on the nature of the protected content. The impact extends beyond immediate data exposure to include potential reputational damage, legal consequences, and increased risk of further exploitation through lateral movement within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to version 7.14 or later, which includes the necessary permission validation fixes. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring for unusual image access patterns and consider restricting derivative image generation for sensitive content. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though the most effective solution remains the application of the official security patch. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar permission-related flaws in other modules or custom code implementations.