CVE-2010-1584 in Context
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Context module before 6.x-2.0-rc4 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users, with Administer Blocks privileges, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a block description.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2019
The CVE-2010-1584 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Drupal Content module ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.x-2.0-rc4. This vulnerability operates within the web application security domain and constitutes a significant threat to Drupal-based content management systems. The flaw enables malicious actors with minimal privileges to execute unauthorized code within the context of other users' browsers, creating potential for data exfiltration, session hijacking, and further exploitation of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the block description field processing. When administrators with the specific "Administer Blocks" permission create or modify block descriptions, the system fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied content before rendering it in the web interface. This oversight creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious javascript payloads, html tags, or other harmful code sequences that execute within the browser context of legitimate users who view the affected blocks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with specific administrative privileges rather than full administrative control, making it accessible to users with relatively limited permissions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can compromise user sessions and sensitive data within Drupal environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious domains, inject phishing content, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's exploitation potential extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or lateral movement within the application. Organizations running vulnerable Drupal installations face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, particularly when administrators with block management privileges have been compromised or when the application serves sensitive information.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is categorized under the OWASP Top Ten as a critical web application security weakness. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as the malicious code injection can be delivered through compromised administrative accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, particularly in content management systems where administrators can create user-facing content. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to the patched version 6.x-2.0-rc4 or later, implementing additional input validation measures, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Network segmentation and role-based access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in compromised environments.