CVE-2007-3818 in LoginToboggan module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the LoginToboggan module 5.x-1.x-dev before 20070712 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with "administer blocks" permission to inject arbitrary JavaScript and gain privileges via "the message displayed above the default user login block."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2017
The CVE-2007-3818 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the LoginToboggan module for Drupal version 5.x-1.x-dev prior to the 20070712 release. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess the "administer blocks" permission, creating a significant security risk that could enable attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw manifests through the message displayed above the default user login block, which serves as an injection vector for malicious payloads. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first authenticate to the Drupal system with administrative privileges, specifically the "administer blocks" permission. Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate the message field that appears above the default user login block, inserting malicious JavaScript code that will execute whenever other users view this area of the site. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that while the initial attacker already possesses administrative rights, the XSS payload could potentially be used to perform additional malicious actions or to escalate privileges further. The attack vector operates through the web application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in the browser context, allowing the injected script to execute with the privileges of the victim user.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3818 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides a potential pathway for attackers to gain additional privileges within the Drupal environment. When users with administrative permissions view the login block area, their browsers execute the injected JavaScript, which could redirect them to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or perform actions on their behalf. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat where the malicious code remains active until the affected module is updated or the vulnerable message field is cleared. The attack could be particularly damaging in environments where administrators frequently access the site, as it would provide ongoing opportunities for privilege escalation or data theft. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where the attacker leverages the XSS flaw to execute arbitrary code in the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3818 focus primarily on updating the LoginToboggan module to version 20070712 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding practices throughout their Drupal installations, ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting the "administer blocks" permission to only those users who absolutely require it, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by preventing the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other modules and components of the Drupal ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in web applications. The fix for this vulnerability exemplifies the importance of secure coding practices and proper sanitization of user inputs as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security principles and the broader security community's emphasis on preventing injection flaws in web applications.