CVE-2012-2722 in Node Embed
Summary
by MITRE
The node selection interface in the WYSIWYG editor (CKEditor) in the Node Embed module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.5 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.0 for Drupal does not properly check permissions, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and read node titles.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2722 represents a critical permission bypass flaw within the Node Embed module for Drupal CMS platforms. This issue specifically affects versions 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.5 and 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.0, where the WYSIWYG editor interface fails to properly validate user permissions during node selection operations. The flaw resides in the node selection interface component of CKEditor integration, which is commonly used for rich text editing within Drupal content management systems. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, making it a direct concern for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and permission checking within the Node Embed module's integration with CKEditor's node selection functionality. When users attempt to embed nodes within content using the WYSIWYG editor, the system should verify that the authenticated user possesses appropriate permissions to access the target node data. However, the flawed implementation allows remote attackers to circumvent these access controls by manipulating the node selection process through the CKEditor interface. This permission bypass enables unauthorized users to retrieve node titles and potentially other metadata from nodes they should not be able to access, creating a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within Drupal environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to map out content structures, identify unpublished or restricted content, and potentially discover sensitive information about the site's internal organization. The vulnerability affects any Drupal installation using the Node Embed module with CKEditor integration, making it particularly concerning for content management systems that host sensitive data or require strict access controls. This issue can be exploited by malicious actors with minimal technical expertise, as the attack vector operates through standard web browser interfaces without requiring specialized tools or deep system knowledge.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the available patches from the Drupal security team, specifically upgrading to Node Embed module versions 6.x-1.5 or 7.x-1.0 and later. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls such as web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious node selection activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1213, covering "Data from Information Repositories," making it a significant concern for organizations following the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat analysis. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all CKEditor and Node Embed module configurations to ensure proper permission settings and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign features like content embedding can introduce significant security risks when not properly secured against unauthorized access attempts.