CVE-2013-1925 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
The Chaos Tool Suite (ctools) module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal does not properly restrict node access, which allows remote authenticated users with the "access content" permission to read restricted node titles via an autocomplete list.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2022
The Chaos Tool Suite module for Drupal represents a critical vulnerability in the content management ecosystem that emerged from inadequate access control mechanisms within the module's autocomplete functionality. This flaw exists specifically within the 7.x-1.x version line prior to the 7.x-1.3 release, affecting Drupal installations that utilize this module for various administrative and content management tasks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions when processing autocomplete requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure that directly impacts the confidentiality of restricted content within Drupal environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in how the ctools module handles node title retrieval during autocomplete operations. When authenticated users with the "access content" permission submit autocomplete requests, the module fails to properly verify whether these users possess the necessary permissions to view the specific nodes being referenced. This improper access control validation allows attackers to enumerate and discover node titles that should be restricted based on user roles and permissions. The flaw operates at the application layer where user requests are processed without adequate authorization checks, creating a direct information disclosure vector that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within Drupal environments. Remote authenticated users can leverage this flaw to map out content structures, identify sensitive node titles, and potentially discover unpublished content that should remain hidden from unauthorized viewers. This information gathering capability provides attackers with valuable intelligence for planning further exploitation attempts, including potential enumeration of content types, user roles, and access patterns within the system. The vulnerability affects any Drupal site using the ctools module with the specific version constraints, making it a widespread concern across numerous installations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the ctools module to version 7.x-1.3 or later, which includes proper access control enforcement for autocomplete requests. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of autocomplete functionality and user access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213 for data from information repositories, demonstrating how this flaw enables information gathering activities. Regular security audits of Drupal modules and adherence to security best practices including timely patch management remain essential for preventing similar access control bypass vulnerabilities in web applications.