Drupal Exposure Scanner

Drupal is an open-source content management system used by individuals, businesses, and organizations to build and manage websites. It is known for its flexibility, scalability, and ability to manage large volumes of content and users in multiple languages. Drupal is widely adopted in web development for creating complex websites and applications, including community portals, e-commerce sites, and blogs. Its modular architecture allows for extensive customization, which is supported by a vast community providing numerous modules and themes. The software is used by web developers and content administrators to deliver feature-rich websites that cater to a variety of audiences. Overall, Drupal is a powerful tool for building dynamic web experiences that require robust functionality and high performance.

The vulnerability involves exposing user data via the Drupal JSON:API, specifically through the /user/user endpoint. This exposure allows unauthorized entities to list usernames, which could aid in reconnaissance phase for potential attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control, making it possible for external parties to access sensitive user information. Proper defenses are not in place to prevent data leakage, which can lead to an increase in threat exposure. This vulnerability could be exploited to gather information needed to perform further attacks such as brute force or social engineering. As a result, monitoring and mitigating this type of exposure is critical for maintaining system security.

Technically, the vulnerability occurs in the JSON:API which exposes user display names that an attacker can extract. Endpoint paths like /jsonapi/user/user are susceptible when access controls are not stringent, making it possible to retrieve user display names through crafted API queries. The vulnerability relies on standard requests that return a status code of 200, indicating successful access to user attributes. As subsets of user data become available through manipulated API responses, it's crucial to understand these technical implications to develop security measures that constrain unauthorized access.

If exploited, this vulnerability allows malicious actors to compile a list of usernames within a Drupal environment. Such information can significantly increase the risk of targeted attacks, including phishing, social engineering, or brute force attempts. Exposure of usernames can decrease overall system security, providing a stepping stone for attackers who may use gathered data to infiltrate further into the network. As user confidentiality is compromised, it could lead to a breach of trust between a company and its users, potentially causing reputational damage among other impacts. Therefore, preventing such exposure is a critical step in safeguarding user data and maintaining trust.

REFERENCES

• https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/3240913