CVE-2015-5512 in me Aliases Module
Summary
by MITRE
The me aliases module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.10 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal allows remote attackers to access Views using the "me" user argument handler by substituting "me" for a user id in a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5512 affects the me aliases module in Drupal versions 6.x-2.x prior to 6.x-2.10 and 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.2. This security flaw resides in the user argument handler implementation within the module's Views integration, creating a critical access control bypass opportunity for remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user arguments when processing Views that utilize the "me" alias for user identification.
The technical flaw manifests when the me aliases module processes Views that employ the "me" user argument handler, allowing attackers to substitute the "me" token with a specific user id value in URLs. This substitution enables unauthorized access to Views that should only be accessible to specific users or roles, effectively bypassing the intended authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application logic level, specifically within the module's argument handling and user identification processes.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Drupal installations using the affected me aliases module versions. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to access restricted Views and potentially gain unauthorized access to user-specific content, personal information, or administrative functions that should be limited to authenticated users or specific role-based permissions. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable privilege escalation and further compromise of the Drupal site's security posture.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments, as it enables unauthorized access through manipulated URL parameters. Organizations using affected Drupal versions should immediately upgrade to patched releases, specifically 6.x-2.10 or 7.x-1.2, to mitigate this risk. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation, restricting access to Views through role-based permissions, and monitoring for suspicious URL parameter usage patterns. Security teams should also review their current Drupal module configurations and ensure that all third-party modules are kept up to date with security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising their web applications.