CVE-2019-6342 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
An access bypass vulnerability exists when the experimental Workspaces module in Drupal 8 core is enabled. This can be mitigated by disabling the Workspaces module. It does not affect any release other than Drupal 8.7.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-6342 represents a critical access bypass issue within the Drupal content management platform, specifically affecting the experimental Workspaces module in Drupal 8 core versions. This flaw emerges from the module's improper handling of user permissions and access controls, creating a scenario where authenticated users can potentially bypass intended security restrictions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it resides within a core module that, while experimental, may be enabled in production environments, making it a significant risk vector for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive content or administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this access bypass stems from inadequate permission checking mechanisms within the Workspaces module's codebase. When the module is enabled, it fails to properly validate user privileges before granting access to workspace-related functionalities. This creates a pathway where users with lower privilege levels might gain access to content or operations typically restricted to higher-level administrators or workspace managers. The vulnerability manifests specifically in how the module handles access control lists and permission verifications, allowing for privilege escalation through carefully crafted requests that exploit the module's flawed authorization logic. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access resources or perform actions they should not be permitted to execute.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can potentially enable attackers to manipulate content, modify workspace configurations, or gain elevated privileges within the Drupal environment. The fact that this affects only Drupal 8.7.4 makes it particularly dangerous for organizations that have not yet upgraded their systems, as they remain exposed to exploitation. The vulnerability's experimental nature does not diminish its severity, as experimental modules often receive less scrutiny and may be enabled in production environments where they are not properly secured. This creates a dangerous scenario where security controls are bypassed through legitimate but improperly secured functionality, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the content management system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability must implement immediate mitigations to protect their Drupal installations. The primary and most effective mitigation strategy involves disabling the Workspaces module entirely, which removes the attack surface and eliminates the access bypass vulnerability. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth, ensuring that only necessary functionality remains enabled within the system. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring and logging of workspace-related activities to detect any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's resolution requires updating to a patched version of Drupal 8, as the issue was specifically addressed in subsequent releases. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of all experimental modules to ensure they are properly configured or disabled in production environments, following ATT&CK framework recommendations for privileged access and defense evasion techniques. The incident underscores the importance of careful module management and the need for comprehensive security testing of all enabled functionality within CMS platforms.