CVE-2009-0575 in Views Bulk Operations
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the theme_views_bulk_operations_confirmation function in views_bulk_operations.module in Views Bulk Operations 5.x before 5.x-1.3 and 6.x before 6.x-1.4, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to node titles. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2017
The CVE-2009-0575 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Views Bulk Operations module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions 5.x prior to 1.3 and 6.x prior to 1.4. This vulnerability resides in the theme_views_bulk_operations_confirmation function, which processes user interactions during bulk operations on content nodes. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts or inject HTML code through node titles, exploiting the module's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it leverages the inherent trust users place in administrative interfaces and content management systems, potentially allowing attackers to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized actions within the context of the victim's browser.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Views Bulk Operations module processes node titles during bulk confirmation operations. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-provided input within the theme_views_bulk_operations_confirmation function, which fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability's vector is particularly insidious because it operates through node titles, which are commonly editable by users with appropriate permissions, making the attack surface broader than typical XSS flaws that require direct input field manipulation. Attackers can craft malicious node titles containing script tags or event handlers that execute when the confirmation page renders, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized administrative actions.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0575 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete compromise of Drupal installations when combined with other attack vectors or when exploited against privileged users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of bulk operations within Drupal's administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate content, modify user permissions, or execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated user sessions. When exploited against administrators or users with elevated privileges, this vulnerability could enable privilege escalation attacks and facilitate further compromise of the entire Drupal installation. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with content management systems. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and persistence within target environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0575 focus primarily on immediate version updates to patched releases of the Views Bulk Operations module, specifically upgrading to 5.x-1.3 or 6.x-1.4 and later versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their Drupal installations, particularly for any user-editable content that may be displayed in administrative contexts. Security administrators should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if XSS attacks succeed. Regular security audits of Drupal modules and core systems are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities, while monitoring for suspicious user activities or unauthorized bulk operations can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block common XSS attack patterns, particularly in environments where multiple users have access to content management interfaces.