CVE-2008-1976 in Localizer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Drupal modules (1) Internationalization (i18n) 5.x before 5.x-2.3 and 5.x-1.1 and 6.x before 6.x-1.0 beta 1; and (2) Localizer 5.x before 5.x-3.4, 5.x-2.1, and 5.x-1.11; allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1976 represents a critical cross-site scripting issue affecting multiple Drupal modules including Internationalization (i18n) and Localizer. This vulnerability impacts Drupal 5.x versions prior to specific patch releases and Drupal 6.x versions before their respective beta releases, creating a significant security risk for web applications relying on these modules for internationalization and localization features. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the affected Drupal modules. The Internationalization module handles multilingual content management while the Localizer module manages localized content, both of which process user-provided data that should be properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in web pages. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple code paths within these modules fail to adequately sanitize user input, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads through various data entry points including form submissions, URL parameters, or content management interfaces. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common web application vulnerability where untrusted data is embedded into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection attacks, as it enables attackers to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the Drupal application. When users view pages containing malicious scripts, their browsers execute the injected code in the context of the vulnerable website, allowing attackers to access session cookies, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects not only individual user experiences but also the overall integrity and security posture of Drupal installations using the affected modules. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to administrative interfaces, modify content, or establish persistent backdoors within the application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1976 involve immediate patching of the affected Drupal modules to versions containing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating both the Internationalization and Localizer modules to their patched versions, specifically targeting Drupal 5.x-2.3, 5.x-3.4, and 6.x-1.0 beta 1 releases or later. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security audits of web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated modules to ensure compatibility and functionality while maintaining the security improvements. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and following the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework for web application security, particularly focusing on the persistence and privilege escalation techniques that could be enabled by such XSS vulnerabilities.