CVE-2012-4477 in Drag
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Drag & Drop Gallery module 6.x for Drupal allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4477 affects the Drag & Drop Gallery module version 6.x for Drupal content management system, representing a significant security weakness that could compromise access controls within web applications. This issue falls under the category of access control bypass vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous as they allow unauthorized users to gain privileges or access to restricted resources without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability exists within a module designed for content management and media handling, specifically enabling users to create gallery displays through drag and drop interfaces that are commonly used in web publishing environments.
The technical flaw within the Drag & Drop Gallery module stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions when processing gallery-related requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified attack vectors that likely involve manipulating module parameters or API calls to bypass the intended access restrictions. The vulnerability's nature suggests that the module does not properly enforce the Drupal permission system, potentially allowing users with minimal privileges to access gallery content or functionality that should be restricted to administrators or authenticated users with specific roles. This weakness could be exploited through various means including crafted HTTP requests, parameter manipulation, or by leveraging the module's interaction with the underlying Drupal access control framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model of the affected Drupal installation. Remote attackers can potentially access sensitive gallery content, modify gallery configurations, or even gain access to media files that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and confidentiality of content management systems that rely on the Drag & Drop Gallery module for media presentation, potentially exposing organizations to data breaches, content manipulation, or unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing web applications.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insufficient authorization checks within web applications, aligning with common weakness patterns described in CWE 285 which addresses improper authorization scenarios. The vulnerability's classification as an access control bypass aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Privilege Escalation and Defense Evasion categories, as attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges or avoid detection by bypassing intended security controls. Organizations using Drupal 6.x with the Drag & Drop Gallery module should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, reviewing and hardening access control configurations, and monitoring for suspicious activity related to gallery module usage. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in other modules or components of their Drupal installations.