CVE-2008-3095 in Organic Groups Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Organic Groups (OG) module 5.x before 5.x-7.3 and 6.x before 6.x-1.0-RC1, a module for Drupal, allows remote authenticated users, with group owner permissions, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2017
The CVE-2008-3095 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Organic Groups module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions 5.x prior to 5.x-7.3 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.0-RC1. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and constitutes a significant security risk for Drupal-based websites that utilize the OG module for group management functionality. The flaw enables authenticated users who possess group owner permissions to execute malicious code injection attacks against other users within the same group environment. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that malicious scripts can be stored on the server and executed whenever affected users access the compromised group content, creating a potential vector for widespread exploitation across the user base.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Organic Groups module's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers with group owner privileges can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts or HTML code through unspecified vectors within the module's interface or data processing functions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and potential redirection to malicious websites. The fact that this vulnerability requires only group owner permissions makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who are already trusted within the system's access control framework, potentially bypassing traditional perimeter security measures. This characteristic aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient input validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Drupal's group management capabilities, particularly those with large user bases or sensitive data environments. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of the entire Drupal installation. Attackers could use this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify group memberships, or gain access to confidential group communications and resources. The attack vector's unspecified nature suggests that multiple input points within the OG module may be susceptible to injection, making comprehensive patching and validation challenging. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of group-based content management systems, potentially disrupting legitimate business operations and user trust in the platform's security measures.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available patches for the Organic Groups module, which address the input validation gaps that allow XSS injection. Network segmentation and strict access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of compromised group owner accounts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security auditing of module installations can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for 'Phishing with Spoofed Credentials' highlights the potential for credential theft through malicious script execution, while T1071.001 for 'Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols' demonstrates how the attack leverages standard web application communication channels. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other modules or custom code implementations that may present similar attack surfaces.