CVE-2014-9156 in FileField
Summary
by MITRE
The FileField module 6.x-3.x before 6.x-3.13 for Drupal does not properly check permissions to view files, which allows remote authenticated users with permission to create or edit content to read private files by attaching an uploaded file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9156 affects the FileField module version 6.x-3.x of the Drupal content management system prior to version 6.x-3.13. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of Drupal's file management system. The issue stems from improper permission validation within the module's file handling mechanisms, creating a scenario where authenticated users can bypass intended security restrictions to access private files that should only be available to authorized personnel.
The technical flaw manifests in the module's failure to properly validate user permissions when processing file attachments during content creation or editing operations. Specifically, when users with content creation or editing privileges attach files to content items, the system does not adequately verify whether these users possess the necessary authorization to access the underlying private files. This permission bypass occurs during the file attachment process, allowing malicious or unauthorized users to retrieve files they should not be able to view, even when those files are explicitly marked as private within Drupal's security framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Drupal for content management, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential information. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access proprietary documents, user data, internal communications, or other private resources that are stored within the system. The vulnerability affects remote authenticated users, meaning that an attacker only needs valid login credentials for the Drupal system to exploit this flaw, significantly broadening the attack surface compared to local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
The security implications align with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the FileField module face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage when this vulnerability is exploited. The flaw particularly impacts Drupal installations that rely heavily on file upload and management capabilities, making it a significant concern for businesses, government agencies, and organizations managing sensitive digital assets.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to version 6.x-3.13 or later of the FileField module, which contains the necessary permission validation fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring file access patterns, reviewing user permissions regularly, and ensuring proper role-based access controls are in place. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers can provide defense-in-depth protection while patches are being deployed. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of file access logs and user activities to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred before the patch was applied.