CVE-2010-2250 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Drupal 6.x before 6.16 uses a user-supplied value in output during site installation which could allow an attacker to craft a URL and perform a cross-site scripting attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2250 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Drupal 6.x versions prior to 6.16. This vulnerability arises during the site installation process when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into output generation. The flaw specifically manifests when the installation script processes a user-provided value that gets directly embedded into the HTML output without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that contain crafted script payloads, which then execute in the context of other users who visit the vulnerable installation page.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that occur when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or encoding. This particular instance demonstrates how web application frameworks can inadvertently create attack vectors during their own setup processes, as the installation phase typically involves less stringent security controls compared to regular application operations. The vulnerability exists because the installation script does not perform input sanitization on parameters that are intended to be user-controlled, such as the site name or other configuration values that may be passed through URL parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2250 extends beyond simple XSS exploitation as it provides attackers with a means to compromise the entire installation process and potentially gain unauthorized access to systems. During the installation phase, an attacker could inject malicious JavaScript that executes in the browser of any user who accesses the vulnerable installation page, including administrators or other authorized personnel. This creates a significant risk because the installation process often requires elevated privileges and may be accessible to users who should not have such access. The attack can be particularly effective in environments where the installation page remains accessible after initial setup, as it could allow persistent malicious code injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2250 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to Drupal 6.16 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL patterns, particularly those containing script tags or other XSS payload indicators. Network segmentation and access controls should restrict access to installation pages to only authorized personnel, while regular security audits should verify that installation directories are not publicly accessible. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege during application setup processes, ensuring that installation scripts operate with minimal required permissions and that all user input is properly validated before being processed or displayed. This flaw serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in all application components, particularly those handling user interaction during setup or configuration phases, as these areas often receive less security scrutiny than core application functionality.