CVE-2009-2076 in Views
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Views 6.x before 6.x-2.6, a module for Drupal, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) exposed filters in the Views UI administrative interface and in the (2) view name parameter in the define custom views feature. NOTE: vector 2 is only exploitable by users with administer views permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2018
The CVE-2009-2076 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw within the Drupal Views module, specifically affecting versions 6.x prior to 6.x-2.6. This vulnerability exists in the administrative interface of the Views module, which is a powerful content display framework for Drupal websites. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that differ in their exploitation requirements and potential impact levels. The first vector involves exposed filters within the Views UI administrative interface, while the second targets the view name parameter in the define custom views feature. Both vectors demonstrate the dangerous potential for malicious code injection that can compromise the security of Drupal installations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Views module's administrative components. When authenticated users interact with the exposed filters functionality in the administrative interface, the module fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it back to the browser. Similarly, the view name parameter in the custom views feature does not adequately validate or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into HTML output. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper validation of input data leads to the execution of malicious scripts in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2076 varies significantly based on the user permissions required for exploitation. The first vector can be exploited by any authenticated user, making it particularly dangerous as it could be leveraged by attackers who have gained access to legitimate user accounts through various means such as credential theft or social engineering. However, the second vector requires users to possess the specific "administer views" permission, which typically limits the attack surface to privileged users or those who have been granted administrative access. This distinction places the vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials to gain higher privileges, as attackers would need to either obtain valid user credentials or escalate privileges to reach the administrative level. The potential consequences include session hijacking, data theft, privilege escalation, and the ability to perform administrative actions on behalf of other users, making this a critical security concern for Drupal installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2076 primarily focus on immediate patching and access control measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading the Views module to version 6.x-2.6 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes that prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Organizations should also implement strict access control policies, ensuring that only trusted administrators have the "administer views" permission, as this significantly reduces the attack surface for the more restrictive vector. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization at multiple levels, including web application firewalls and custom validation routines, can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and following the principle of least privilege in web application security. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the Views module's administrative interface where the vulnerability manifests.