CVE-2012-1648 in Cool Aid
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Cool Aid module before 6.x-1.9 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the administer coolaid permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2018
The CVE-2012-1648 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Cool Aid module for Drupal platforms running version 6.x prior to 1.9. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess the administer coolaid permission, creating a significant security risk for Drupal installations that utilize this module. The flaw exists in the module's handling of user input, where inadequate sanitization allows malicious scripts to be injected into the application's response. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a classic cross-site scripting weakness, which occurs when web applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web pages. This particular issue demonstrates how privileged authenticated users can exploit module-specific functionalities to bypass standard security controls that typically protect against client-side attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the Cool Aid module's processing mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into web pages served by the vulnerable Drupal instance. When the affected module processes user input containing malicious scripts, these scripts become executable within the context of other users' browsers who view the compromised content. The attack requires an authenticated user with specific administrative permissions, which means that the vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts with sufficient privileges. This vector represents a privilege escalation risk where a user with limited access can leverage their administrative permissions within the Cool Aid module to perform cross-site scripting attacks against other users. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within victim browsers. The module's failure to properly sanitize input data creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1648 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire user sessions and potentially escalate their privileges within the Drupal environment. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to full account compromise, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the web application. The affected Drupal 6.x installations represent a significant attack surface since the module was designed to provide administrative functionality, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Cool Aid module face the risk of unauthorized data access, content manipulation, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as users only need the administer coolaid permission rather than full administrative access to the entire Drupal platform. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous in environments where administrative permissions are distributed among multiple users or where account compromise is possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1648 should prioritize immediate patching of the Cool Aid module to version 6.x-1.9 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect unusual administrative activities within the Cool Aid module, particularly around user input processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the administer coolaid permission. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other contributed modules. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched module to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while eliminating the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewall rules that can detect and block common XSS attack patterns targeting the Cool Aid module. Security awareness training should be provided to administrators to help identify potential compromise scenarios and to reinforce the importance of keeping all Drupal modules updated. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of module security in content management systems, as third-party modules can introduce significant risks when not properly maintained or validated against security standards.