CVE-2012-2298 in RealName
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the RealName module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.5 for Drupal allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to (1) "user names in page titles" and (2) "autocomplete callbacks."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The CVE-2012-2298 vulnerability affects the RealName module version 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.5 in the Drupal content management system, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that exposes web applications to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability resides within the module's handling of user-generated content and system interactions, specifically targeting how the application processes and displays user names in page titles and autocomplete functionality. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's output, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the RealName module's codebase. When user names are displayed in page titles, the module fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. Similarly, the autocomplete callbacks lack proper security measures to prevent malicious input from being executed within the browser context. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability exists because the module does not implement adequate sanitization routines or context-appropriate encoding before rendering user-supplied data in web contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2298 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious websites. When exploited through user names in page titles, attackers can manipulate the display of content to include malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The autocomplete callback vulnerability provides an additional attack vector where malicious input can be processed and returned as part of legitimate autocomplete responses, making detection more difficult. These vulnerabilities fall under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as they allow for the execution of malicious scripts within user browsers, potentially leading to full system compromise if users have administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2298 require immediate patching of the RealName module to version 6.x-1.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes and input validation improvements. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of HTML escaping functions and proper context-aware encoding before rendering any user-supplied data. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while security teams should conduct thorough code reviews of all custom modules to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper output encoding and input validation in web applications, reinforcing the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework for preventing injection attacks and maintaining application security.