CVE-2011-4560 in Petition Node module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Petition Node module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.5 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to signing a petition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The CVE-2011-4560 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Petition Node module for Drupal 6.x-1.x versions prior to 6.x-1.5. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can sign petitions through the module's functionality, creating a significant security risk for Drupal-based websites that rely on petition management features. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the petition signing process, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit petition signatures containing malicious script code within the petition data fields. The Petition Node module fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it back to other users browsing the petition page. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted petition entries that, when viewed by other users, execute arbitrary JavaScript code in their browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of authenticated users, meaning attackers can leverage existing user sessions to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to account takeovers. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets authenticated users who are already logged into the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have administrative capabilities or access to sensitive information. The vulnerability can be exploited through various methods including direct petition submission manipulation, indirect injection through petition metadata, or by leveraging other compromised accounts within the same organization.
The security implications extend beyond simple script injection to include potential privilege escalation and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can craft payloads that harvest user credentials, access sensitive petition data, or manipulate petition results to influence outcomes. The vulnerability's persistence in the system means that once exploited, malicious scripts can continue to affect users until the module is updated or the affected petition entries are removed. This creates ongoing security risks for organizations relying on the Petition Node module without timely patching. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version 6.x-1.5 or applying the relevant security patches, while also considering temporary workarounds such as disabling petition signing functionality or implementing additional input validation measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks, specifically addressing the need for robust data validation to prevent injection attacks that can compromise web application security.