CVE-2015-5496 in pass2pdf Module
Summary
by MITRE
The pass2pdf module for Drupal does not restrict access to generated PDF files, which allows remote attackers to obtain user passwords via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5496 resides within the pass2pdf module for the Drupal content management system, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of affected installations. This module, designed to convert pass documents into pdf format, fails to implement proper authorization checks for generated pdf files, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access restriction mechanisms within the module's file handling processes, allowing remote attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and obtain pdf files that should otherwise be restricted to authorized users only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the module's failure to enforce proper access controls on generated pdf files. When users generate pdf documents through the pass2pdf module, the system creates files that remain accessible without proper authentication checks. This flaw can be particularly dangerous as it may allow attackers to access user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data contained within the generated pdf documents. The vulnerability operates at the application level and can be exploited remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it especially concerning for web applications where user privacy and data protection are paramount. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness in access control mechanisms classified under CWE-284, which deals with inadequate access control and improper privilege management.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5496 extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling attackers to harvest user passwords and other sensitive credentials from the generated pdf files. This vulnerability can facilitate credential stuffing attacks, identity theft, and unauthorized access to user accounts within the affected Drupal installations. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the pass2pdf module face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized access to user information. The attack surface is particularly broad as any user with access to the pass2pdf functionality can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it a serious concern for enterprises that rely on Drupal for their web applications and content management needs. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential harvesting through social engineering and access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5496 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected pass2pdf module to ensure proper access control mechanisms are implemented for generated pdf files. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable module and implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious access attempts. Access controls should be strengthened to ensure that generated pdf files are properly secured and only accessible to authorized users with appropriate privileges. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar access control vulnerabilities within the Drupal ecosystem and other applications. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive pdf files and maintain detailed audit logs for forensic analysis. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that access restrictions are properly enforced without disrupting legitimate user functionality.