CVE-2012-2705 in Smart Breadcrumb
Summary
by MITRE
The filter_titles function in the Smart Breadcrumb module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.3 for Drupal does not properly convert a title to plain-text, which allows remote authenticated users with create or edit node permissions to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2705 affects the Smart Breadcrumb module version 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.3 in the Drupal content management system. This issue resides within the filter_titles function which fails to adequately sanitize title parameters when processing node titles. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess either create or edit node permissions, making it particularly concerning for Drupal installations where content editors and administrators have elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of title data within the Smart Breadcrumb module's filter_titles function. When users create or edit nodes, the module processes the title parameter through a filtering mechanism that does not sufficiently convert the title to plain-text format. This inadequate sanitization allows malicious input containing script tags or other malicious code to persist in the breadcrumb navigation elements. The vulnerability manifests when the module renders breadcrumbs containing user-supplied titles, executing the embedded scripts in the context of other users' browsers. This cross-site scripting attack vector operates through the module's title processing workflow without requiring elevated privileges beyond standard content creation or editing permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2705 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, deface websites, redirect users to malicious domains, or perform actions on behalf of other users. The vulnerability affects Drupal 6.x installations specifically, though similar patterns might exist in other versions of the Smart Breadcrumb module. The attack requires minimal prerequisites since it targets authenticated users with basic content creation or editing capabilities, which are commonly granted to content editors and administrators in typical Drupal deployments. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have editing privileges, as a single compromised account could enable widespread XSS attacks across the site.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Smart Breadcrumb module version 6.x-1.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly sanitize title parameters. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied content, and regular security auditing of contributed modules. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments of their Drupal installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.