CVE-2013-4594 in Payment for Webform
Summary
by MITRE
The Payment for Webform module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.5 for Drupal does not restrict access by anonymous users, which allows remote anonymous users to use the payment of other anonymous users when submitting a form that requires payment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2018
The Payment for Webform module vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security of Drupal-based e-commerce implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects the 7.x-1.x version line of the Payment for Webform module prior to version 7.x-1.5, creating a scenario where anonymous users can exploit the system to process payments on behalf of other anonymous users. The flaw exists within the module's authentication and authorization mechanisms, failing to properly validate user identities during payment processing transactions. According to CWE-285, this vulnerability falls under improper authorization controls, where the system fails to ensure that users have appropriate permissions to perform specific actions. The issue stems from the module's inability to distinguish between legitimate payment initiators and unauthorized actors, particularly when dealing with anonymous user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to manipulate form submissions and payment data through crafted requests that bypass normal access restrictions. When an anonymous user submits a payment-form requiring authentication, the system fails to properly validate that the payment request originates from the same anonymous user who initiated the form. This creates an opportunity for attackers to intercept payment data and redirect it to their own accounts or other users' accounts. The flaw operates at the application layer, exploiting weaknesses in session management and user identification protocols within the Drupal framework. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized financial transactions, potentially resulting in significant monetary losses for legitimate users who believe they are processing payments for themselves.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple financial theft to encompass broader security implications for Drupal-based web applications. Organizations using affected versions of the Payment for Webform module face risks of unauthorized payment processing, data integrity violations, and potential regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing web applications. According to ATT&CK framework's T1078 principle of valid accounts, this vulnerability demonstrates how attackers can leverage legitimate system access patterns to perform unauthorized activities. The financial implications include direct monetary losses, potential fraud investigations, and damage to organizational reputation. Additionally, the vulnerability may trigger cascading effects where compromised payment data can be used to identify other system weaknesses or user patterns that could be exploited in subsequent attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected module to version 7.x-1.5 or later, which includes proper access control enforcement and user authentication validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of payment transactions to detect unusual patterns or unauthorized access attempts. Network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The module should be configured to enforce strict session management policies and implement proper user identification mechanisms. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar access control flaws in other modules and custom code implementations. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle payment-related security breaches, including forensic analysis capabilities and communication protocols for affected users. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for continuous security testing of third-party modules in content management systems.