CVE-2012-1627 in Vote Up Down
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in vud_term.module in the Vote Up/Down module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.8 and 6.x-3.x before 6.x-3.1 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via taxonomy terms.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The CVE-2012-1627 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Vote Up/Down module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions 6.x-2.x prior to 6.x-2.8 and 6.x-3.x prior to 6.x-3.1. This vulnerability resides in the vud_term.module component and demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding practices that has persisted across multiple Drupal core versions. The flaw enables remote authenticated users to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through taxonomy terms, creating a significant vector for exploitation that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided input within the taxonomy term processing functionality. When authenticated users submit or modify taxonomy terms, the module fails to properly escape or encode special characters in the input data before rendering it in web pages. This oversight creates an environment where malicious actors can embed script tags, javascript code, or other HTML elements that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the vud_term.module which handles term-related voting functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the authenticated user context where users may have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1627 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, potentially enabling them to access sensitive information, modify content, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require administrator privileges to exploit it, though they must have legitimate user accounts within the Drupal system. This makes the attack surface more accessible and the potential damage more significant as it can target regular users and content editors who may not be security-aware.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be enforced throughout the Drupal ecosystem. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers can craft malicious taxonomy terms that appear legitimate to users. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions of the Vote Up/Down module, specifically 6.x-2.8 or 6.x-3.1, which implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits, input validation enforcement, and user access controls to minimize the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date Drupal modules and implementing comprehensive security practices that address both known and emerging threats in web application environments.