CVE-2010-1303 in Taxonomy Filter
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Taxonomy Filter module 6.x before 6.x-1.1 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users, with administer taxonomy permissions or create node permissions when free tagging is enabled, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vocabulary (1) names, (2) terms, and (3) filter menus.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-1303 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Taxonomy Filter module for Drupal version 6.x prior to 6.x-1.1. This issue affects web applications that utilize Drupal's taxonomy management system, where users can organize content through vocabularies and terms. The vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of user-provided data within taxonomy-related interfaces, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code in the context of affected websites.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct data input points within the taxonomy system. Attackers with either administer taxonomy permissions or create node permissions can inject malicious scripts when free tagging functionality is enabled. The vulnerability manifests in the processing of vocabulary names, terms, and filter menus, where user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages. This failure in input validation creates a direct path for attackers to inject HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. When users with administrative privileges interact with taxonomy interfaces, the attack surface expands significantly since these users can potentially access sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying permission levels, as even users with limited privileges can cause widespread disruption through script injection attacks that affect all website visitors.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack pattern follows typical XSS exploitation methods documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of web application attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure web application development. Organizations using Drupal 6.x systems were particularly at risk since the default configuration often enabled free tagging features, making the attack vector more accessible to threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Taxonomy Filter module to version 6.x-1.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies to limit script execution, regular security audits of contributed modules, and privilege reviews to ensure users have minimal necessary permissions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date content management systems and the risks associated with third-party modules that may not receive regular security updates. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts before they succeed.