CVE-2009-1035 in Tasks
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Tasklist module 5.x-1.x before 5.x-1.3 and 5.x-2.x before 5.x-2.0-alpha1, a module for Drupal, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2018
The CVE-2009-1035 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Tasklist module for Drupal content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 5.x-1.x prior to 5.x-1.3 and 5.x-2.x prior to 5.x-2.0-alpha1, making it a significant concern for organizations running these outdated Drupal versions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's handling of Cascading Style Sheets, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests when authenticated users with appropriate privileges submit malicious CSS content through the Tasklist module interface. This content bypasses normal security controls and gets rendered in the browser context of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is executed in the victim's browser when they load pages containing the injected CSS. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" within the adversary tactics framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious domains. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, it primarily affects users with legitimate access to the Drupal system, potentially allowing privilege escalation or lateral movement within the organization's web infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because CSS content is often treated as safe input, making the exploitation less obvious to both developers and security monitoring systems. Organizations using affected Drupal versions face potential data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1035 should prioritize immediate patching to versions 5.x-1.3 or 5.x-2.0-alpha1 and later, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation for CSS content, output encoding of all user-supplied data, and regular security audits of contributed modules. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious CSS content patterns, and access controls should be strictly enforced to limit the number of users with privileges to modify tasklist configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping all Drupal modules updated and following security best practices for web application development and maintenance.