CVE-2006-5475 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the XML parser in Drupal 4.6.x before 4.6.10 and 4.7.x before 4.7.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted RSS feed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5475 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Drupal's XML parser component that affected versions 4.6.x prior to 4.6.10 and 4.7.x prior to 4.7.4. This vulnerability resides in the core XML parsing functionality that Drupal employs to process RSS feeds and other XML-based data sources. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser by crafting specially formatted RSS feeds that contain malicious payload code. The vulnerability specifically impacts the XML parser's handling of user-supplied input without proper sanitization or validation, creating an attack surface where untrusted data can be injected into web pages viewed by legitimate users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within Drupal's XML processing pipeline. When the system encounters an RSS feed containing malicious script tags or HTML elements, the parser fails to properly escape or filter these elements before rendering them in the web interface. This allows attackers to inject JavaScript code, HTML markup, or other malicious content that executes in the browser context of users who view the compromised feed. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS attack vector where the malicious input is processed and rendered without proper security controls. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, and the weakness manifests in the improper neutralization of input during XML parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable sophisticated attack chains targeting Drupal-based websites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the compromised web environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators might unknowingly process malicious RSS feeds from untrusted sources. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of Drupal's content management system and can potentially compromise the entire web application if attackers gain access to administrative accounts through the XSS payload.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5475 require immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to versions 4.6.10 or 4.7.4 which contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement input validation controls at multiple layers including XML parser configuration, feed processing routines, and output filtering mechanisms. The recommended approach includes implementing proper HTML escaping for all user-supplied content, configuring XML parsers with strict validation settings, and establishing content security policies that prevent script execution in feed rendering contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XML content patterns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability falls under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and organizations should monitor for suspicious script injection patterns in their web application logs. Additionally, implementing regular security assessments and penetration testing of XML processing components can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application stack.