CVE-2010-1362 in Ownterm
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Own Term module 6.x-1.0 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users, with "create additional terms" privileges, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the term description field in a term listing page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2019
The CVE-2010-1362 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Own Term module version 6.x-1.0 for Drupal content management systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the term description field functionality within term listing pages, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with minimal privileges, specifically the ability to create additional terms, making it accessible to users who may not possess elevated administrative rights but still have the capability to influence content within the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper sanitization of user input within the term description field. When an authenticated user with the necessary privileges submits a term description containing malicious script code, the system fails to adequately validate or escape the input before rendering it on the term listing page. This allows the malicious code to execute within the browser context of other users who view the affected term page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent the execution of untrusted code within the web application's user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the Drupal environment. An attacker could craft malicious term descriptions that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or even escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users have the ability to create terms, as this privilege level is often granted to content editors or contributors who may not be fully trusted. This creates a vector for persistent attacks where malicious users can maintain their access and continue to inject harmful code across multiple term entries.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-79 classification for cross-site scripting flaws, which emphasizes the importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing malicious code execution. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as it allows for the execution of arbitrary scripts within user contexts. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Own Term module, implementing proper input sanitization measures, and establishing stricter access controls for term creation privileges. Additionally, regular security audits of Drupal modules and comprehensive user privilege management should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure coding practices within content management systems, particularly regarding user input handling and privilege management. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor functionality within modules can create significant security risks when proper validation mechanisms are not implemented. Organizations should prioritize regular security assessments of their Drupal installations, maintain updated module repositories, and implement robust monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of principle of least privilege enforcement, ensuring that users only receive the minimum necessary permissions to perform their required tasks while preventing the execution of malicious code through legitimate system interfaces.