CVE-2026-114535 in Swiper formatter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Drupal Swiper formatter allows Forceful Browsing. This issue affects Swiper formatter versions: from 0.0.0 to 2.1.2, from 3.0.1 to 3.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the Drupal Swiper Formatter module, specifically affecting version ranges from 0.0.0 through 2.1.2 and from 3.0.1 through 3.1.0. This vulnerability is classified as a Missing Authorization issue, which fundamentally represents an access control failure where the application fails to properly verify whether an authenticated user has the necessary permissions to perform specific actions or access certain resources. In the context of web applications like Drupal, this type of flaw allows for Forceful Browsing, also known as direct object reference manipulation, where an attacker can bypass intended restrictions by directly accessing URLs or endpoints that should be protected. The Swiper Formatter module is designed to create carousel-style image displays on content pages, and while its primary function is visual presentation, the underlying code handling these formatters did not adequately enforce role-based access controls for certain administrative or configuration-related operations associated with the formatter settings.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from an incomplete implementation of authorization checks within the module's routing or callback handlers. When a user interacts with the Drupal interface to configure Swiper sliders, the system should validate that the requesting entity possesses the appropriate permissions, such as administer content types or manage display formats. However, due to the missing check, any authenticated user, including those with lower privilege levels like basic editors or subscribers, can potentially manipulate requests to access configuration screens or execute administrative functions intended only for site administrators. This bypass of authorization logic allows attackers to alter settings that could lead to further security compromises, such as injecting malicious scripts into slide configurations if cross-site scripting vulnerabilities are also present in the rendering pipeline, although the primary issue here is strictly unauthorized access to functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure. An attacker with low-level privileges can escalate their effective role within the application by exploiting these unrestricted endpoints. This could lead to the modification of site-wide settings, disruption of content presentation for all users, or potentially serving as a stepping stone for more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities in the Drupal core or contributed modules. The ability to force browse administrative functions undermines the principle of least privilege and compromises the integrity of the web application's security model. Attackers can systematically probe these endpoints using automated tools to map out available functionality, identify misconfigurations, and exploit them for malicious purposes, thereby degrading the trustworthiness of the platform and potentially exposing sensitive data or configuration details that were not intended for public view.
To mitigate this risk, site administrators must immediately upgrade the Swiper Formatter module to a version newer than 2.1.2 if using an older branch, or greater than 3.1.0 if on the later branch, as these updates contain patches that enforce proper authorization checks. Until upgrading is feasible, implementing web application firewall rules can help detect and block attempts to access suspicious endpoints associated with the module's administrative paths. Additionally, reviewing Drupal role permissions ensures that no unnecessary privileges are granted to low-level user accounts, reducing the attack surface available for exploitation. This incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous input validation and authorization enforcement in all contributed modules, aligning with industry standards such as CWE-269 which addresses Improper Privilege Management, and ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation via direct object references. Regular security audits and penetration testing are recommended to identify similar gaps in access control logic across the entire Drupal installation.