CVE-2009-3783 in Simplenews Statistics
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Simplenews Statistics 6.x before 6.x-2.0, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2017
The CVE-2009-3783 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Simplenews Statistics module for Drupal version 6.x prior to 6.x-2.0. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of web application security weaknesses that can compromise user sessions and enable malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the statistics reporting functionality of the Simplenews module, which is commonly used for managing newsletter distributions and tracking subscriber engagement metrics. The flaw resides in how the module processes and displays user-supplied input within its statistical reports, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed by unsuspecting users who view the affected pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. In the case of Simplenews Statistics 6.x, the unspecified vector likely involves parameters or data fields within the module's statistical interface that do not undergo adequate sanitization before being rendered in HTML output. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can execute within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or the execution of arbitrary commands on behalf of the compromised user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a module that handles sensitive user information and statistical data, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit the trust relationship between users and the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised Drupal environment. When users with appropriate permissions view the statistics pages, their browsers will execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify content displayed to other users. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or direct network access to the target server, as they can exploit the flaw through web-based attacks. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the Simplenews Statistics module is widely used and where users may have elevated privileges within the Drupal system.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques related to code injection and credential access. The vulnerability represents a path to privilege escalation when exploited against users with administrative or content management privileges within the Drupal system. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 6.x-2.0 of the Simplenews Statistics module, applying the relevant security patches, and implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping all Drupal modules up to date and maintaining comprehensive security testing procedures to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in web applications.