CVE-2012-4494 in Shibb Auth
Summary
by MITRE
The Shibboleth authentication module 7.x-4.0 for Drupal does not properly check the active status of users, which allows remote blocked users to access bypass intended access restrictions and possibly have other impacts by logging in.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4494 affects the Shibboleth authentication module version 7.x-4.0 within the Drupal content management system, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of affected organizations. This issue stems from inadequate user status validation within the authentication process, creating a scenario where blocked or disabled accounts can bypass intended access restrictions and gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability specifically targets the module's failure to properly verify user account status during the authentication workflow, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness for unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests in the authentication module's improper handling of user account states, where the system fails to validate whether a user account is active or blocked before granting access privileges. This weakness exists within the module's session management and authentication validation logic, creating a persistent security gap that persists across multiple user interactions and authentication attempts. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of identity management and access control, where the Shibboleth authentication system does not adequately enforce the Drupal core's user status flags, particularly the active/inactive account indicators that should prevent access for blocked users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Drupal with Shibboleth authentication, as it allows attackers to maintain access to systems even after user accounts have been administratively disabled or blocked. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistence within compromised environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to maintain access to sensitive systems, particularly in environments where Shibboleth serves as a primary authentication mechanism for enterprise applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in scenarios where administrators rely on account disabling as a security control mechanism.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within authentication systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential stuffing attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates weaknesses in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where access control mechanisms fail to properly validate account status. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Shibboleth module, implementing additional access controls, and monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activities. The recommended remediation involves ensuring proper account status validation and implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of compromised credentials, while also considering the broader implications for identity and access management policies within Drupal environments.