CVE-2009-3917 in Greg Knaddison
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the S5 Presentation Player module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.1 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified field that is copied to the HTML HEAD element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The CVE-2009-3917 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the S5 Presentation Player module for Drupal platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.1, creating a significant security risk for Drupal websites that utilize this presentation module. The flaw exists in how the module processes user input, particularly in its handling of an unspecified field that gets copied directly into the HTML HEAD element of web pages. This presents a substantial attack surface since the HEAD element is part of the HTML document structure that is rendered by all web browsers, making it an ideal location for malicious script execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the S5 Presentation Player module. When user-provided data is not properly filtered before being inserted into the HTML HEAD element, attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a common weakness in web application security. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the HEAD element is processed by all browsers and can contain script tags that execute immediately upon page load, making it a prime target for persistent XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects Drupal websites that rely on the S5 Presentation Player for creating and displaying presentations, as any user with the ability to submit content through this module can potentially compromise the entire site. This creates a scenario where a low-privilege user can escalate their access level by injecting malicious scripts that persist across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and T1059, which involves executing malicious code through script injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3917 should prioritize immediate patching of the S5 Presentation Player module to version 6.x-1.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided data before it is processed by the module. Additionally, web application firewalls and content security policies should be configured to prevent script execution in the HEAD element and other sensitive HTML sections. Regular security audits and penetration testing should verify that no other modules within the Drupal environment contain similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and following the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only authorized users can submit content that gets rendered on public-facing web pages.