CVE-2014-8736 in Open Atrium
Summary
by MITRE
The Open Atrium Core module for Drupal before 7.x-2.22 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions and read file attachments that have been removed from a node by leveraging a previous revision of the node.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8736 resides within the Open Atrium Core module for Drupal platforms running versions prior to 7.x-2.22. This security flaw represents a critical access control bypass issue that fundamentally undermines the integrity of file attachment permissions within the content management system. The vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of node revisions and file attachment management, creating a scenario where unauthorized users can gain access to sensitive data that should have been removed from content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file access permissions during node revision retrieval processes. When a node contains file attachments and subsequent revisions are created, the system fails to properly enforce access controls for previously removed attachments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by accessing older revisions of nodes where file attachments were present but have since been deleted from the current revision. This flaw operates at the intersection of content revision management and file access control mechanisms, creating a persistent security gap that allows unauthorized data retrieval.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Drupal-based systems with Open Atrium modules. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential information disclosure of sensitive documents, confidential communications, and proprietary materials that were intended to be removed from content. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing web applications. The flaw essentially allows attackers to reconstruct historical content that was meant to be permanently deleted, undermining the organization's data governance and privacy policies.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering attacks that may leverage this flaw. Organizations should immediately implement the patch available in Open Atrium Core module version 7.x-2.22 to address this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing robust access control policies, conducting regular security audits of content revision histories, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to node revision endpoints. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in content management systems, particularly when dealing with revision histories and file attachment management.