CVE-2013-7391 in Entity API module
Summary
by MITRE
The Entity API module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal, when using the (a) Views field or (b) area plugins, allows remote attackers to read restricted entities via the (1) field, (2) header, or (3) footer of a View. NOTE: this identifier was SPLIT from CVE-2013-4273 per ADT5 due to different researcher organizations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The Entity API module for Drupal represents a critical access control vulnerability that emerged in version 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.2, specifically affecting the module's handling of Views field and area plugins. This vulnerability stems from inadequate permission checking mechanisms within the module's implementation, creating a scenario where unauthorized remote attackers can exploit the system to access restricted entities through legitimate View components. The flaw exists in the module's processing of field, header, and footer elements within Views, where proper entity access validation fails to occur during the rendering process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates View configurations to include restricted entity data through field, header, or footer plugins. The module's failure to properly validate user permissions before rendering entity data creates an information disclosure channel that bypasses Drupal's standard access control mechanisms. This issue operates at the intersection of inadequate input validation and insufficient privilege enforcement, allowing attackers to retrieve data they should not normally be able to access based on their user roles and permissions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Drupal-based systems that rely on Entity API for content management and display. Organizations using affected versions may experience unauthorized data exposure, potentially including sensitive information such as private content, user data, or administrative details. The remote nature of the attack means that even unauthenticated users can exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible Drupal installations. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security model of Drupal's entity access system, allowing attackers to circumvent role-based access controls through legitimate module functionality.
The security implications extend beyond simple data leakage to encompass potential privilege escalation and further attack vectors. Attackers can use this vulnerability to gather intelligence about system structure, identify user roles, and potentially discover other weaknesses within the application. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control within software components. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1213 Data from Information Repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to stored data through application interfaces. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement monitoring for unusual View access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include updating to Entity API module version 7.x-1.2 or later, which contains the necessary access control fixes. System administrators should also review existing View configurations to ensure proper access restrictions are in place, particularly for Views that display entity data. Network-level monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns in View requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct security assessments to identify other modules that might be vulnerable to similar access control flaws, as this represents a broader category of issues affecting Drupal's entity handling systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential impact of seemingly minor access control oversights in complex content management systems.