CVE-2008-7150 in Refine by Taxo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Refine by Taxonomy 5.x before 5.x-0.1, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a taxonomy term, which is not properly handled by refine_by_taxo when displaying tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2017
The vulnerability CVE-2008-7150 represents a cross-site scripting weakness in the Refine by Taxonomy module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.x-0.1. This issue resides within the module's handling of taxonomy terms during tag display operations, creating a persistent security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code within victim browsers. The vulnerability manifests when the refine_by_taxo functionality processes taxonomy terms without adequate input sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through carefully crafted taxonomy entries.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient output encoding and validation within the module's display mechanisms. When taxonomy terms are rendered on web pages, the module fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied content, creating an XSS vector that operates at the application layer. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as failures to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before its inclusion in web pages. The vulnerability operates at the presentation layer of the web application, where user input transitions from data storage to user interface rendering, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems like Drupal where taxonomy terms often appear in visible web interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, and potential data exfiltration from authenticated users. Remote attackers can craft malicious taxonomy terms containing JavaScript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when the refined taxonomy displays these terms. This creates a persistent threat where compromised taxonomy entries can affect multiple users over time, especially in collaborative environments where taxonomy terms are frequently created and shared. The vulnerability particularly affects Drupal sites using the Refine by Taxonomy module, where the display of taxonomy terms in search or filter interfaces becomes a vector for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7150 require immediate attention through module updates and proper input validation implementation. Organizations should upgrade to the patched version 5.x-0.1 or later of the Refine by Taxonomy module to address the vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement proper content sanitization measures, including input validation and output encoding of all taxonomy term data before display. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics, as attackers often exploit such vulnerabilities to manipulate users into executing malicious code. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security audits of contributed modules, and ensuring all Drupal modules undergo proper security review before deployment in production environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.