CVE-2009-4990 in Webform report
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Webform report module 5.x and 6.x for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a submission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2018
The CVE-2009-4990 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Webform report module for Drupal versions 5.x and 6.x, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in web application input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the webform module's reporting functionality, where user-submitted data is processed and displayed without adequate sanitization measures. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of user input within the module's submission handling process, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, making it a classic example of client-side code injection that can be exploited through web-based attacks. The Webform module, widely used for creating online forms and collecting user data, becomes a vector for malicious code execution when submissions contain crafted payloads designed to exploit the XSS vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2009-4990 occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious submission containing script tags or other HTML elements that are then rendered in the webform reports without proper encoding or sanitization. This allows the malicious code to execute in the browser context of users who view the affected reports, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of Drupal 5.x and 6.x versions, which were commonly used for enterprise and government web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through the standard webform submission process, requiring no special privileges or authentication. The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential data exfiltration and user manipulation, as the injected code can access cookies, localStorage, and other browser resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, and T1059.007 for command and control through script injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4990 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to web application security and user privacy. Organizations using affected Drupal versions face potential exposure of sensitive user data, as the vulnerability can be exploited to capture session tokens, login credentials, or personal information submitted through webforms. The attack can result in persistent threats where malicious scripts remain active in the reports, continuously compromising users who access the affected pages. This vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as phishing campaigns, where attackers can redirect users to malicious sites or steal authentication tokens. The widespread use of Drupal 5.x and 6.x in enterprise environments means that a single compromised webform module can affect numerous users and potentially expose confidential data across multiple applications. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences from data breaches resulting from this vulnerability. The vulnerability's persistence in older Drupal versions highlights the importance of proper patch management and security updates, as the affected versions had reached end-of-life status, leaving organizations vulnerable to known exploits. The attack can be executed through simple HTTP requests containing malicious payloads, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise and demonstrating the critical need for input validation and output encoding in web applications.