CVE-2011-5189 in Webform Validation
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Webform Validation module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.5 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with permissions to "update Webform nodes" to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2018
The CVE-2011-5189 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Webform Validation module for Drupal platforms, affecting versions 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.5 and 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.1. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess the permission to update Webform nodes, creating a significant security risk for Drupal-based web applications. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code through unspecified attack vectors, potentially compromising the integrity and security of web applications that rely on the Webform module for data collection and form management.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Webform Validation module's handling of user-submitted data. When authenticated users with appropriate permissions create or modify Webform nodes, the module fails to properly sanitize or escape user inputs before rendering them in web pages. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, leading to potential session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where improper validation of input data leads to the execution of malicious scripts in victim browsers. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication privileges within the application rather than administrative access, making it exploitable by users who have legitimate access to the Webform management functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5189 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform sophisticated attacks against the web application and its users. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify webform content to collect sensitive information from unsuspecting users. The risk is amplified when considering that many organizations use Webform modules for collecting sensitive data such as personal information, financial details, or confidential communications. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege as it allows authenticated users with limited permissions to potentially escalate their impact within the application. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious web content, where attackers manipulate users into executing malicious scripts through seemingly legitimate web forms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5189 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to versions 6.x-1.5 or 7.x-1.1 and later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms for all user-submitted content within web applications, particularly for modules handling form data. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other modules and custom code implementations. Access controls should be strictly enforced to limit the permissions of users who can modify Webform nodes, following the principle of least privilege. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security information and event management systems to provide additional layers of protection against such vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that security fixes do not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the integrity of the web application's form handling capabilities.