CVE-2012-2303 in Spaces
Summary
by MITRE
The Spaces module 6.x-3.x before 6.x-3.4 for Drupal does not enforce permissions on non-object pages, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and possibly have other impacts via unspecified vectors to the (1) Spaces or (2) Spaces OG module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2303 affects the Spaces module version 6.x-3.x prior to 6.x-3.4 in the Drupal content management system. This security flaw represents a critical access control bypass that undermines the fundamental security model of the platform. The issue specifically targets the Spaces module which is designed to provide multi-tenant functionality within Drupal, allowing organizations to create isolated spaces or communities with their own content and user management. The vulnerability stems from insufficient permission enforcement mechanisms that fail to properly validate access rights on pages that do not represent traditional Drupal objects, creating a significant gap in the security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Spaces module's permission checking logic where the system fails to properly validate user privileges when processing requests for non-object pages. This flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the permission system by crafting specific requests that bypass normal access controls, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information that should be restricted to authorized users only. The vulnerability affects both the core Spaces module and the Spaces OG (Organic Groups) module, indicating a broader impact across the module ecosystem. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in permission checking mechanisms, specifically CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and potentially CWE-200 for information exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for attackers to escalate privileges or access restricted functionality within the Drupal environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to obtain sensitive data that may include user credentials, private content, configuration details, or other confidential information stored within the spaces. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack surface may be broader than initially apparent, potentially affecting various types of requests or page access patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as attackers can bypass normal access controls to gain elevated privileges or extract sensitive information from the system.
Organizations utilizing Drupal with the affected Spaces modules face significant security risks, particularly those implementing multi-tenant environments where isolation between different user groups or organizations is critical. The vulnerability essentially allows unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information that should be protected by the module's permission system. System administrators should immediately implement the available patch or upgrade to version 6.x-3.4 or later, as this represents a straightforward remediation that addresses the core permission enforcement flaw. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Drupal installations to identify any other modules that might be similarly vulnerable to permission bypass attacks, and implement network segmentation or additional access controls as compensating measures while awaiting the patch deployment.