CVE-2009-1069 in Content Construction Kit
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the node edit form feature in Drupal Content Construction Kit (CCK) 6.x before 6.x-2.2, a module for Drupal, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) titles of candidate referenced nodes in the Node reference sub-module and the (2) names of candidate referenced users in the User reference sub-module.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1069 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Drupal Content Construction Kit (CCK) module, specifically affecting versions 6.x prior to 2.2. This issue resides within the node edit form functionality and demonstrates how seemingly benign administrative features can become attack vectors when proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms are absent. The vulnerability affects two distinct sub-modules within CCK: the Node reference sub-module and the User reference sub-module, both of which handle referenced content during node creation and editing processes. The flaw manifests when users interact with the administrative interface to reference other nodes or users, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields that display titles of candidate referenced nodes and names of candidate referenced users within the CCK administrative forms. When these fields are populated with malicious script code instead of legitimate content, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the web browser. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability specifically affects the rendering of referenced content in dropdown lists or selection interfaces where the displayed titles and names are not adequately escaped for web contexts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for Drupal sites using CCK with affected versions, as it enables remote attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain elevated privileges within the content management system. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for content editors and administrators who may not be security-aware. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent security flaws in web applications. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Social Engineering" and represents a classic vector for delivering malicious payloads through compromised web interfaces.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading of the Drupal CCK module to version 6.x-2.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side checks, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other modules or custom code. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of all Drupal modules and themes to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities, particularly in administrative interfaces where user input is processed and displayed. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper output encoding and input validation in web applications, particularly within content management systems where administrators frequently interact with potentially untrusted user data through interface elements that display referenced content.