CVE-2009-1249 in Feedapi Mapper
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Feed element mapper 5.x before 5.x-1.1, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the content title in admin/content/node-type/nodetype/map.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1249 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Feed element mapper module for Drupal version 5.x prior to 5.x-1.1. This security weakness resides in the administrative interface of the content management system, specifically within the node type mapping functionality that allows administrators to configure how feed elements are mapped to content fields. The vulnerability occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize user input during the processing of content titles within the administrative content management pathways.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the feed element mapper module's handling of content titles. When administrators access the admin/content/node-type/nodetype/map path to configure feed mappings, the system processes the content title field without sufficient sanitization measures. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input containing script tags or other malicious HTML content within the title field, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected administrative pages. This represents a classic stored cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious payload is persisted in the system and executed whenever the vulnerable page is accessed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and compromise the entire Drupal installation. An attacker who gains access to an administrative account through this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code, modify content, steal session cookies, or even establish persistent backdoors within the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system configurations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications viewed by other users.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard web application attack techniques. Attackers typically need only access to a Drupal site with the vulnerable feed element mapper module installed and administrative capabilities to create or modify content titles. The attack chain involves crafting malicious input containing script tags, submitting it through the administrative interface, and then waiting for other administrators or users with sufficient privileges to view the affected pages. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators have access to content management interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, specifically through the use of web scripting languages to execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1249 require immediate action to upgrade the vulnerable Feed element mapper module to version 5.x-1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. System administrators should also implement proper input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied content undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed or stored. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, restricting administrative access to trusted users only, and conducting regular security audits of installed modules. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted XSS attacks. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing site functionality while maintaining the security posture against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Drupal ecosystem.