CVE-2015-7305 in Scald Module
Summary
by MITRE
The Scald module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.5 for Drupal does not properly restrict access to fields, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive atom property information via vectors involving a "debug context."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7305 affects the Scald module version 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.5 within the Drupal content management system. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of Drupal installations relying on the Scald module for field management and content processing. The vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of field access restrictions, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure that could expose sensitive atom property data to remote attackers.
The technical implementation flaw resides in how the Scald module processes field access controls within its debug context functionality. When operating in debug mode, the module fails to properly validate user permissions before exposing field-level information, particularly atom properties that contain sensitive metadata. This improper access restriction occurs during the processing of field data requests, where the module does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to access the requested field information. The vulnerability exploits the module's debug functionality to bypass normal access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized users from viewing restricted field data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as atom properties often contain metadata that could reveal system configuration details, internal data structures, or other sensitive information that might aid attackers in planning further exploitation attempts. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring authentication or specific privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable Drupal site. The exposure of atom property information creates potential opportunities for attackers to understand the underlying data model, identify additional vulnerabilities, or craft more sophisticated attacks against the affected system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Scald module version 7.x-1.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the access control bypass. System administrators should also review their current module configurations and disable debug functionality in production environments where it is not strictly required. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all access control implementations. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and reconnaissance, as attackers can gather information about the system's internal structure without requiring valid credentials. Security teams should implement monitoring for unusual field access patterns and consider conducting comprehensive security assessments of all Drupal installations to identify potential exploitation attempts or additional vulnerabilities within the same codebase.