CVE-2010-1998 in TableField
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CCK TableField module 6.x before 6.x-1.2 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users, with certain node creation or editing privileges, to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via table headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2019
The CVE-2010-1998 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Drupal Content Construction Kit (CCK) TableField module version 6.x prior to 6.x-1.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the web application framework's content management capabilities, where the TableField module enables administrators to create custom content types with tabular data structures. The flaw exists in how the module processes and renders table header information, creating an avenue for malicious script injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability affects Drupal 6.x installations where the CCK module is active and the TableField module is configured for use.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users with permissions to create or edit nodes access the table field configuration interface. These users can inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code into table header fields, which then gets executed when other users view the content. The flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding within the module's rendering pipeline, allowing attackers to bypass standard security controls that typically protect against XSS attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only node creation or editing privileges rather than administrative access, making it exploitable by users with relatively low-level permissions within the Drupal system.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1998 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, or redirect victims to malicious websites. When exploited, the vulnerability can compromise user authentication tokens, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users within the Drupal environment. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Drupal for content management, particularly those with multiple user roles where different permission levels exist. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of content management systems by enabling persistent script injection that can affect multiple users over time, potentially leading to widespread data corruption or unauthorized access.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to CCK TableField module version 6.x-1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches for input validation and output encoding. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict node creation and editing privileges to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that only trusted users have access to table field configuration interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows patterns identified in ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls and content security policies to add additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.