CVE-2009-1501 in Exif
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Exif module 5.x-1.x before 5.x-1.2 and 6.x-1.x-dev before April 13, 2009, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via EXIF tags in an image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2018
The CVE-2009-1501 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Exif module for Drupal content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 5.x-1.x prior to 5.x-1.2 and 6.x-1.x-dev prior to April 13, 2009, making it a significant security concern for Drupal installations that utilize this module for handling image metadata. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization of EXIF tags embedded within image files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of affected users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the module's failure to properly sanitize EXIF metadata when displaying image information within Drupal's web interface. When users upload images containing malicious EXIF data, the module processes these tags without sufficient filtering mechanisms, allowing attacker-controlled content to be rendered directly in web pages. This creates a classic XSS vector where the malicious payload executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically targets the Exif module's handling of metadata fields that are not adequately escaped or validated before being displayed to end users.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1501 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise entire user sessions and potentially escalate to full system compromise. Attackers can craft malicious images with embedded JavaScript payloads that execute when users view image galleries or other pages where the Exif data is displayed. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users upload images, such as community forums, content management systems, or media sharing platforms, as it allows persistent XSS attacks that can affect multiple users over time. The attack requires no privileged access to the server itself, making it a server-side vulnerability that can be exploited through user interaction with uploaded content.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack pattern follows standard XSS methodologies documented in MITRE's ATT&CK framework under the technique of web application attacks, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts in user browsers. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions of the Exif module, implementing proper input validation for all uploaded image files, and employing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious EXIF data patterns, while also conducting regular security audits of uploaded content to identify and remove potentially malicious files that may have bypassed initial defenses.