CVE-2008-1792 in Flickr
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the insertion filter in the Flickr Drupal module 5.x before 5.x-1.3 and 6.x before 6.x-1.0-alpha allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2018
The CVE-2008-1792 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Flickr Drupal module, specifically affecting versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.3 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.0-alpha. This vulnerability resides in the insertion filter mechanism that processes user-generated content, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates the classic characteristics of an XSS vulnerability where untrusted input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist and affect multiple users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Flickr module's content processing pipeline. When users interact with the module's functionality, particularly during content insertion or display operations, the system fails to adequately filter or escape potentially malicious input. This weakness creates an environment where attackers can craft specially designed payloads that exploit the insertion filter's insufficient sanitization mechanisms. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the module's codebase could be leveraged, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various user interaction scenarios including form submissions, URL parameters, or content uploads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or manipulate the application's functionality. In a Drupal environment, where user-generated content is common and modules often handle sensitive data, this vulnerability can be exploited to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, malicious scripts can continue to affect users until the vulnerability is patched or the affected content is removed from the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is processed without proper validation or encoding, making it a fundamental security flaw in web application development practices.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution techniques, particularly those involving web-based attacks and script injection methods. The vulnerability's exploitation typically follows the pattern of delivering malicious payloads through web interfaces, leveraging the trust relationship between the web application and its users. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to prevent the execution of unauthorized scripts. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Drupal installations, implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads, and conduct comprehensive security reviews of all installed modules to identify similar vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for thorough code review processes that include input sanitization testing, as outlined in industry standards for secure web application development.