CVE-2009-4602 in Randomizer
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Randomizer module 5.x through 5.x-1.0 and 6.x through 6.x-1.0, a module for Drupal, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2019
The CVE-2009-4602 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Randomizer module for Drupal platforms running versions 5.x through 5.x-1.0 and 6.x through 6.x-1.0. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting web applications that fail to properly validate and sanitize user input. The Randomizer module, designed to generate random content for Drupal websites, became a vector for malicious code injection due to insufficient input sanitization mechanisms. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web content, and data theft from authenticated users. Given that Drupal was widely used for content management systems, this vulnerability posed significant risk to numerous websites relying on the Randomizer module for functionality.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2009-4602 occurs through unspecified vectors within the Randomizer module's input handling processes, where user-supplied data is not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser when they view pages containing the compromised content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, targeting the web application's user interface rendering process rather than underlying system components. Attackers typically leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input that, when processed by the Randomizer module, gets embedded into HTML responses. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables remote code execution through web-based scripting. The lack of proper input validation means that any data submitted through the module's interface could potentially serve as an attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4602 extends far beyond simple website defacement, as it creates persistent security risks for organizations relying on affected Drupal installations. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of user sessions through session hijacking, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and access restricted areas of websites. The vulnerability also enables data exfiltration attacks where sensitive information can be stolen from authenticated users, including administrative credentials and personal data. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage when such attacks occur, particularly in sectors governed by data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. The vulnerability's widespread nature within Drupal's ecosystem meant that many websites were potentially exposed, creating cascading security risks across interconnected web applications. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as credential stuffing or lateral movement within network environments where Drupal sites are integrated with other systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4602 primarily focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of the Randomizer module or remove the module entirely from affected Drupal installations. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the need for proper input validation and output encoding. Network administrators should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all third-party modules and components within web applications. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Drupal installations to identify other potentially vulnerable modules and address them proactively. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented as ongoing measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments. The incident underscores the critical need for security awareness training for developers and administrators regarding secure coding practices and the importance of validating all user inputs before processing them within web applications.