CVE-2013-1973 in Autocomplete Widgets
Summary
by MITRE
The autocomplete callback in Autocomplete Widgets for Text and Number Fields (autocomplete_widgets) module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.4 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.0-rc1 does not properly handle node permissions, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive field values via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1973 affects the autocomplete_widgets module in Drupal, specifically versions 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.4 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.0-rc1. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security of content management systems relying on the module for field autocomplete functionality. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of node permissions within the autocomplete callback mechanism, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical flaw manifests in the module's failure to validate user permissions when processing autocomplete requests for text and number fields. When authenticated users submit autocomplete queries, the system should verify that the requesting user has appropriate access rights to view the referenced node data. However, the vulnerable implementation bypasses these permission checks, allowing malicious actors to probe and retrieve sensitive field values from nodes they should not be able to access. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the system fails to enforce proper access controls at the application level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to gather intelligence about the system's content structure and potentially sensitive business data. Remote authenticated users can exploit this flaw to discover node relationships, content types, and field configurations that would normally be restricted to authorized personnel. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack surface may be broader than initially apparent, potentially affecting various field types and content management workflows. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation through application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to versions 6.x-1.4 or 7.x-1.0-rc1, which contain the necessary permission validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to administrative interfaces and conduct thorough security audits of all custom modules that interact with node data. Regular monitoring of Drupal core and contributed module updates becomes essential for maintaining security posture, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications. The flaw serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when permission systems fail to properly validate user privileges during dynamic data retrieval operations.