CVE-2012-2304 in Linkit
Summary
by MITRE
The Linkit module 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.3 for Drupal, when using an entity access module, does not check permissions when searching for entities, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2304 affects the Linkit module version 7.x-2.x prior to 7.x-2.3 within the Drupal content management system. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of Drupal installations relying on entity access modules. The vulnerability stems from insufficient permission validation during entity search operations, creating a path for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical flaw manifests in the Linkit module's failure to properly implement access controls when processing search requests for Drupal entities. When an entity access module is configured and active, the module should verify user permissions before returning search results. However, the vulnerable version bypasses this critical validation step, allowing attackers to discover entities they should not have access to based on their role or user permissions. This permission bypass occurs during the search functionality where the module retrieves and displays entity references without proper authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to map the entire entity structure of a Drupal site. Remote attackers can systematically probe the system to identify content, users, or other sensitive entities that should be protected by access controls. This reconnaissance capability allows threat actors to gather intelligence about the site's internal structure and potentially identify additional vulnerabilities. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may encompass various entity types including nodes, users, taxonomy terms, or custom entities depending on the site configuration.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation pattern where a module designed for content linking fails to enforce the security boundaries established by the underlying entity access system. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of elevated privileges to gain access to restricted resources. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance followed by systematic entity enumeration to discover sensitive information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Linkit module version 7.x-2.3 or later, which implements proper permission checking during entity searches. Security teams should also review existing entity access module configurations to ensure proper role-based access controls are in place. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level restrictions, monitoring for unusual search patterns, and conducting regular security audits of module configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in content management systems and underscores the need for thorough security testing of modules that interact with core entity systems.