CVE-2025-48444 is a security vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the Drupal Quick Node Block module versions before 2.0.0, specifically version 0.0.0 as indicated. The vulnerability allows an attacker to perform forceful browsing, which means unauthorized users can access restricted content or functionality by directly navigating to URLs or resources that should be protected by authorization controls. This flaw arises because the module fails to properly enforce authorization checks before granting access to certain nodes or blocks, allowing an attacker to bypass intended access restrictions. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N) shows that the attack can be performed remotely over the network without any privileges or user interaction, and it impacts confidentiality to a limited extent (partial information disclosure), but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The issue was reserved in May 2025 and published in June 2025. Since Drupal is a widely used content management system, vulnerabilities in its modules can have significant implications if exploited, especially in environments where sensitive or restricted content is managed via Quick Node Block.

For European organizations using Drupal with the Quick Node Block module, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or restricted information by allowing attackers to access content they should not see. This can undermine confidentiality and potentially expose business-critical or personal data, which may lead to compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. Although the vulnerability does not impact data integrity or system availability, the unauthorized access itself can damage organizational reputation and trust. Public sector entities, educational institutions, and enterprises relying on Drupal for internal or external content management are particularly at risk. The ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) increases the likelihood of opportunistic scanning and exploitation attempts. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity score suggest that the threat is moderate but should be addressed promptly to prevent escalation or chaining with other vulnerabilities.

European organizations should immediately audit their Drupal installations to identify the presence and version of the Quick Node Block module. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or uninstalling the Quick Node Block module if it is not essential. If the module is required, implement strict access control measures at the web server or application firewall level to restrict access to sensitive nodes or blocks. Employ Drupal’s built-in access control mechanisms to enforce authorization rigorously. Regularly monitor Drupal security advisories for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. Additionally, conduct thorough access reviews and penetration testing focused on authorization bypass scenarios to detect any similar weaknesses. Logging and alerting on unusual URL access patterns can help detect forceful browsing attempts early. Finally, ensure that all Drupal core and contributed modules are kept up to date to minimize exposure to known vulnerabilities.