CVE-2015-7875 in CTools
Summary
by MITRE
ctools 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.14 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.8 in Drupal does not verify the "edit" permission for the "content type" plugins that are used on Panels and similar systems to place content and functionality on a page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-7875 affects the ctools module in Drupal versions 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.14 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.8. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of Drupal-based content management systems. The ctools module serves as a core component for building flexible page layouts and content placement systems, particularly through its integration with Panels and similar modules that enable administrators to construct dynamic web pages by arranging content blocks and functionality in various configurations.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper permission verification within the "content type" plugins that are utilized by Panels and related systems. Specifically, when users interact with content type configurations through these plugins, the system fails to validate whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary "edit" permission for the content type being manipulated. This omission creates a privilege escalation vulnerability where unauthorized users can potentially access or modify content types for which they lack proper authorization. The vulnerability manifests in scenarios where users with limited privileges attempt to manipulate content type configurations through the administrative interfaces provided by Panels and similar modules that rely on ctools functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data integrity compromises and system exposure. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain access to content type configurations that should be restricted to privileged administrators, potentially enabling them to modify content structure definitions, alter field settings, or manipulate the underlying data models that govern how content is stored and displayed. This access could lead to unauthorized content modifications, data leakage, or even facilitate further attacks by allowing manipulation of the content management system's core structural elements. The vulnerability particularly affects sites that utilize Panels or similar layout systems that depend on ctools for content placement functionality, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Drupal's flexible page construction capabilities.
Security mitigation for CVE-2015-7875 requires immediate implementation of the available patches provided by the Drupal security team, specifically upgrading to ctools versions 6.x-1.14 or 7.x-1.8. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Drupal installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all related modules are updated to their secure versions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in information security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the Drupal environment. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual access patterns related to content type configurations and consider implementing additional access controls through custom modules or server-level restrictions to provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities.