CVE-2013-4597 in Revisioning
Summary
by MITRE
The Revisioning module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.6 for Drupal does not properly check node access permissions for content marked unpublished by the Scheduled module, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4597 affects the Revisioning module version 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.6 in the Drupal content management system. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of Drupal sites relying on both the Revisioning and Scheduled modules. The vulnerability stems from improper node access permission validation within the Revisioning module's handling of content that has been marked as unpublished through the Scheduled module functionality.
The technical flaw manifests when the Revisioning module fails to adequately verify user permissions before allowing access to content that has been scheduled for unpublished status. This creates a scenario where authenticated users can potentially access content that should remain hidden due to its unpublished state. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that likely involve the module's revision handling mechanisms and how it interacts with the Scheduled module's content status management. The flaw exists because the Revisioning module does not properly integrate with Drupal's node access control system when processing nodes that have been marked as unpublished but may still be accessible through revision history or other module-specific pathways.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Drupal's access control architecture. Remote authenticated users can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive content that should only be visible to specific user roles or administrators. This could result in exposure of confidential data, private communications, draft content, or any other material that has been intentionally marked as unpublished. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects sites using Drupal's core node access system, potentially compromising the integrity of content management workflows and undermining the trust users place in the platform's security controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Revisioning module version 7.x-1.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the permission validation issue. Security administrators should also conduct thorough audits of their content management systems to identify any content that may have been exposed due to this vulnerability. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-284 access control weakness by ensuring proper permission checking mechanisms are enforced when accessing nodes through the Revisioning module. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to resources, and demonstrates how module interdependencies can create unexpected security gaps in content management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and access logging to detect any potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive security posture through regular vulnerability assessments and patch management processes.