CVE-2013-0258 in Ga Login
Summary
by MITRE
The Google Authenticator login (ga_login) module 7.x before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal, when multi-factor authentication is enabled, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication for accounts without an associated Google Authenticator token by logging in with the username.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-0258 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Google Authenticator login module for Drupal systems. This issue affects versions 7.x prior to 7.x-1.3 and specifically targets environments where multi-factor authentication is enabled. The flaw stems from improper validation logic that fails to adequately verify the presence of a valid Google Authenticator token before granting access to user accounts. When an attacker attempts to authenticate using a valid username, the system incorrectly processes the login request without requiring the second factor authentication component that should be mandatory for secure access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in access control mechanisms and authentication flow validation. The module's design assumes that all authenticated users possess valid Google Authenticator tokens, but fails to account for accounts that may not have been properly configured with such tokens. This creates an exploitable condition where attackers can bypass the second factor authentication requirement simply by using legitimate usernames without providing the corresponding one-time passcodes. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or local system access. The vulnerability directly violates security principle of least privilege and proper authentication enforcement as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Drupal-based systems with multi-factor authentication enabled. Attackers can gain unauthorized access to user accounts that lack Google Authenticator tokens, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity. The exploitability of this flaw is particularly concerning because it requires minimal effort from threat actors - simply knowing a valid username is sufficient to bypass authentication. This vulnerability effectively undermines the entire multi-factor authentication strategy implemented by the organization, rendering the additional security layer ineffective for accounts without proper token configuration. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration and data exfiltration activities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to the patched version 7.x-1.3 of the Google Authenticator module or applying the appropriate security patches. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits to identify all affected Drupal installations and ensure proper token configuration for all user accounts. Additional protective measures include implementing account lockout mechanisms, monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity, and reviewing access control policies. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, making it particularly dangerous in environments where attackers may already have knowledge of valid usernames. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for authentication bypass attempts and establishing incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability.