CVE-2014-9503 in Open Atrium
Summary
by MITRE
The Discussions sub module in the Open Atrium module 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.26 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with "access content" permissions to modify arbitrary nodes by leveraging improper access checks on unspecified ajax callbacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9503 resides within the Open Atrium module version 7.x-2.x prior to 7.x-2.26 for Drupal platforms. This security flaw specifically affects the Discussions sub module and represents a critical access control bypass that enables authenticated users to manipulate content beyond their intended permissions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of access controls during ajax callback operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's permission model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper access checks that occur during unspecified ajax callbacks within the Discussions module. When authenticated users with basic "access content" permissions attempt to interact with the system through these ajax endpoints, the application fails to properly verify whether the user should have the ability to modify arbitrary nodes. This weakness allows attackers to craft specific requests that circumvent normal content modification restrictions, effectively elevating their privileges within the constrained access environment. The flaw operates at the application logic level where access control decisions are made during dynamic content interactions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Drupal-based platforms utilizing Open Atrium. Attackers can leverage this flaw to modify content that they should not normally be able to access or alter, potentially leading to data integrity compromises, unauthorized content publication, or even the ability to modify sensitive information within the system. The impact extends beyond simple content modification as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the permission architecture that could enable more sophisticated attacks or data exfiltration attempts. Organizations relying on Drupal's content management system could experience reputational damage and compliance violations if such vulnerabilities remain unpatched.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1548 for abuse of privileges. Security practitioners should implement immediate patching of the Open Atrium module to version 7.x-2.26 or later, which contains the necessary access control fixes. Additionally, organizations should review their permission settings and conduct thorough access control audits to ensure no unauthorized modifications have occurred. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual ajax request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should consider implementing additional layers of authentication and authorization controls to mitigate potential lateral movement or privilege escalation within the affected systems.