CVE-2014-8735 in Bad Behavior
Summary
by MITRE
The Bad Behavior module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.2216 and 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.2216 for Drupal logs usernames and passwords, which allows remote authenticated users with the "administer bad behavior" permission to obtain sensitive information by reading a log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8735 affects the Bad Behavior module for Drupal, specifically versions 6.x-2.x prior to 6.x-2.2216 and 7.x-2.x prior to 7.x-2.2216. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that undermines the confidentiality of sensitive authentication data within Drupal-based web applications. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the module's logging mechanism, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to user credentials through log file enumeration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the module's logging functionality where it inadvertently records username and password information in log files. When authenticated users with administrative privileges access the Bad Behavior module's administrative interface, the system creates log entries that contain sensitive credential information. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles by storing authentication data in plaintext format within accessible log files, making it trivial for attackers to extract this information through simple file reading operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the module's logging infrastructure rather than core system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8735 is severe for organizations running affected Drupal installations, as it provides attackers with direct access to user authentication credentials. Remote authenticated users who possess the "administer bad behavior" permission can exploit this vulnerability to read log files containing sensitive information, potentially compromising multiple user accounts and their associated privileges. This vulnerability enables credential theft that can lead to complete system compromise, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data. The attack vector requires only basic administrative access to the module, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised administrators.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched versions 6.x-2.2216 and 7.x-2.2216 of the Bad Behavior module. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough log file audits to identify and remove any existing credential disclosures, while implementing proper log file access controls and monitoring mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1567 for credentials from password files, representing a significant threat to information security and compliance requirements. Regular security assessments and patch management procedures should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other Drupal modules and the broader web application ecosystem.