CVE-2006-4947 in Search Keyword Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Drupal 4.7 Search Keywords module before 1.15 2006/09/15 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to "lack of validation on output."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4947 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Drupal 4.7 Search Keywords module, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.15 released on September 15, 2006. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors related to output handling, indicating that the module's failure to validate data during the presentation phase creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious content into search result displays.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious scripts is processed through the search keywords functionality and subsequently displayed without proper sanitization. This allows remote attackers to craft specially crafted search queries that, when processed by the vulnerable module, inject HTML or JavaScript code into the page output. The lack of validation on output creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute malicious code within the browser context of unsuspecting users who view the affected search results. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the content rendering mechanisms of the Drupal platform.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4947 extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the application context. The vulnerability affects any Drupal 4.7 installation utilizing the Search Keywords module, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread adoption of this content management system during that era. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as it operates entirely through web-based interactions without requiring special access to the system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Drupal 4.7 Search Keywords module version 1.15 or later, which contains the necessary validation fixes. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing input sanitization at the web application firewall level and monitoring for suspicious search patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of output encoding failures that enable malicious code injection. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and session manipulation, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent access within affected environments. Regular security assessments and patch management processes should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in modern web applications.