CVE-2012-4491 in Monthly Archive by Node Type
Summary
by MITRE
The Monthly Archive by Node Type module 6.x for Drupal does not properly check permissions defined by node_access modules, which allows remote attackers to access restricted nodes via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4491 affects the Monthly Archive by Node Type module version 6.x for Drupal content management system. This security flaw resides in the module's insufficient permission validation mechanisms that fail to properly enforce access controls established by node_access modules. The vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental security model of Drupal's content access control system. The module's failure to properly validate user permissions creates a pathway for unauthorized access to restricted content that should only be visible to specific user roles or groups.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the module's inadequate integration with Drupal's core node access subsystem. When users attempt to access monthly archive views filtered by node type, the module does not perform proper node access checks that would normally be enforced by the node_access API. This oversight allows attackers to bypass the standard permission enforcement mechanisms that typically prevent users from viewing nodes they do not have explicit access rights to. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple attack pathways including direct URL manipulation, API calls, or through crafted requests that leverage the module's archive functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to access sensitive content that should be restricted to specific user groups or roles. The exploitation could potentially expose confidential documents, unpublished articles, private content, or any node type that has been configured with restricted access permissions. The severity of impact depends on the specific content types and access controls configured within the Drupal installation, but the vulnerability essentially undermines the entire access control framework by allowing unauthorized information disclosure. This represents a significant compromise to the confidentiality and integrity of the content management system's information security posture.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. It also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. Organizations using this module face potential data breaches and compliance violations if sensitive content becomes accessible to unauthorized users. The remediation strategy involves immediate patching of the module to version 6.x-1.1 or later, which includes proper permission validation. Administrators should also review and audit existing node access configurations to ensure that the vulnerability has not been exploited and that appropriate access controls remain intact. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring and access logging can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence of any unauthorized access that may have occurred.