CVE-2008-2998 in Aggregation module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Aggregation module 5.x before 5.x-4.4 for Drupal allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2998 represents a critical security flaw within the Drupal content management system's Aggregation module version 5.x prior to 5.x-4.4. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The Aggregation module serves as a core component for Drupal 5.x installations, facilitating the collection and display of content from various sources, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's codebase, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads through unspecified vectors that could compromise user sessions and potentially lead to broader system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. This classification indicates that the module fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the Aggregation module could be exploited, potentially including form inputs, URL parameters, or content fields that the module processes. The nature of XSS vulnerabilities in this context means that attackers could craft malicious URLs or content that, when viewed by authenticated users, would execute arbitrary code in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2998 extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the Drupal ecosystem. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can enable attackers to manipulate content displayed to users, potentially redirecting them to phishing sites or stealing session cookies that could allow full administrative access to Drupal installations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the Aggregation module is commonly used for displaying feeds and aggregated content, making it likely to be present in numerous production environments. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment or link, as attackers could craft malicious content that appears legitimate within the Drupal interface, tricking users into executing the injected scripts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to Drupal 5.x-4.4 or later versions where the XSS vulnerabilities have been addressed. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of their Drupal installations to identify all instances of the vulnerable Aggregation module and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other modules or components of the Drupal framework. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust input validation mechanisms to prevent exploitation of common web application vulnerabilities.