CVE-2009-3779 in vCard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in vCard 5.x before 5.x-1.4 and 6.x before 6.x-1.3, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, related to the addition of the theme_vcard function to a theme and the use of default content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The CVE-2009-3779 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the vCard module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions 5.x prior to 5.x-1.4 and 6.x prior to 6.x-1.3. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's handling of user-provided data, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of the theme_vcard function when integrated into a Drupal theme, combined with the use of default content that fails to adequately sanitize user inputs. When a malicious user submits crafted input through the module's interface or when default content contains unsanitized data, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This typically involves injecting javascript code or html tags that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, making it particularly dangerous as victims may not realize they are being targeted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the Drupal environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to user accounts, potentially including administrative privileges, and can manipulate the content displayed to other users. This creates a persistent threat where malicious scripts can continue to execute against all users who view affected pages, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, and the impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise through further exploitation chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3779 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Drupal vCard module to versions 5.x-1.4 or 6.x-1.3 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their Drupal installations, particularly around user-supplied content. The principle of least privilege should be applied by restricting the permissions of the vCard module and ensuring that default content is properly sanitized before deployment. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other modules, with adherence to security best practices including the implementation of proper data sanitization techniques and regular security updates. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security guidelines such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ATT&CK framework, particularly in relation to input validation and output encoding controls that prevent malicious code execution in web applications.