CVE-2012-1630 in Taxonomy Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Taxonomy Navigator module for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2018
The CVE-2012-1630 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Taxonomy Navigator module for Drupal content management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess certain permissions within the Drupal environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code on behalf of legitimate users. The flaw exists within the module's handling of user input and output rendering processes, where insufficient validation and sanitization of data allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Taxonomy Navigator module's processing mechanisms. When authenticated users with appropriate privileges create or modify taxonomy terms, the module fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This oversight creates an XSS attack vector where malicious scripts can be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the affected content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a module that handles taxonomy navigation, which is commonly used throughout Drupal sites, making the attack surface potentially widespread across multiple installations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require administrative privileges to leverage the vulnerability, but rather need access to accounts with specific taxonomy management permissions. This creates a significant risk for organizations where content editors or contributors have sufficient access levels to manipulate taxonomy terms. The persistent nature of the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to maintain access and execute commands over extended periods, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of "Command and Control" through "Web Shell" when exploited, as attackers can establish persistent access points through malicious script injection. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official Drupal security patches, reviewing user permission assignments to limit taxonomy management access, and implementing content security policies to prevent script execution. Additionally, regular security audits of third-party modules and enhanced input validation measures should be prioritized to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Drupal ecosystem. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security testing for all module components and highlights the critical need for maintaining up-to-date Drupal installations to protect against known exploits.