CVE-2015-8602 in Token Insert Entity Module
Summary
by MITRE
The Token Insert Entity module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal does not properly check permissions, which allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to bypass intended access restrictions and possibly obtain sensitive information by inserting a token, which embeds a rendered entity in the main node.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8602 affects the Token Insert Entity module version 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 in the Drupal content management system. This security flaw represents a critical access control bypass issue that undermines the intended security model of Drupal sites relying on this module. The vulnerability specifically targets the permission checking mechanisms within the module's token insertion functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent access restrictions that should prevent unauthorized data exposure.
The technical flaw manifests in the module's inadequate validation of user permissions when processing token insertions that embed rendered entities within nodes. When authenticated users with specific permissions attempt to insert tokens that reference entities, the module fails to properly verify whether the user has sufficient privileges to access the target entity data. This permission bypass occurs during the token processing phase where the system should validate that the requesting user can view or access the referenced entity before rendering its content within the main node structure. The vulnerability essentially allows users to indirectly access restricted content through the token insertion mechanism.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes Drupal sites to potential data leakage scenarios where authenticated users can obtain sensitive information that they should not be authorized to access. The attack vector requires the user to possess certain permissions within the Drupal system, but does not require administrative privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The consequences extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the embedded entity rendering could potentially expose confidential data, user information, or system internals that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can compromise the confidentiality of sensitive information within the Drupal environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checking. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically targeting the T1078 component related to valid accounts and the T1566 component for credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations utilizing Drupal with the affected Token Insert Entity module should implement immediate mitigations including updating to version 7.x-1.1 or later, reviewing and tightening user permission assignments, and implementing additional access control monitoring. The recommended remediation strategy involves not only patching the vulnerability but also conducting comprehensive security audits of all modules that handle token processing and entity rendering to ensure similar permission bypass issues do not exist in other components of the Drupal ecosystem.