CVE-2013-7066 in Entityreference
Summary
by MITRE
The Entity reference module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1-rc1 for Drupal allows remote attackers to read private nodes titles by leveraging edit permissions to a node that references a private node.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-7066 represents a significant access control flaw within the Entity Reference module for Drupal 7.x-1.x versions prior to 7.x-1.1-rc1. This issue enables remote attackers to bypass intended security restrictions and access private node titles through a specific exploitation vector involving entity references. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of access permissions when processing entity references, creating an unexpected information disclosure channel that undermines the security model of Drupal's content management system.
The technical flaw manifests when a user with edit permissions on a node that references a private node attempts to access the referenced content. The Entity Reference module fails to properly enforce access controls during the rendering of entity reference fields, allowing unauthorized users to extract metadata from private nodes. This occurs because the module does not adequately verify whether the requesting user has appropriate permissions to view the referenced content, particularly when the reference is embedded within another node's edit context. The vulnerability specifically impacts the module's handling of entity reference fields during node editing operations, where the system should validate access rights before exposing referenced content information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential attack vector for unauthorized access to sensitive content. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to gather intelligence about private nodes, potentially identifying content structures, user roles, or system configurations that could aid in further attacks. The vulnerability affects Drupal installations where the Entity Reference module is used with private content, making it particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive data. The issue becomes more pronounced when users with limited permissions attempt to edit nodes that contain references to private content, as the system inadvertently reveals information about the referenced entities.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates how module-level security flaws can compromise the overall integrity of content management systems. From an ATT&CK perspective, this represents a privilege escalation and information gathering technique that could be leveraged to build more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 7.x-1.1-rc1 of the Entity Reference module, reviewing user permissions, and implementing additional access controls. The recommended remediation involves not only applying the security patch but also conducting thorough security audits of all entity reference configurations to ensure no similar vulnerabilities exist within the system's broader architecture.