CVE-2012-2710 in Zen
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Zen module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.1 for Drupal, when "Append the content title to the end of the breadcrumb" is enabled, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the content title in a breadcrumb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The CVE-2012-2710 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Zen module version 6.x-1.x of the Drupal content management system prior to version 6.x-1.1. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the "Append the content title to the end of the breadcrumb" configuration option is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied content titles can be manipulated to execute malicious scripts. The issue arises from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the breadcrumb generation process, where the module fails to properly escape or filter content titles before rendering them in the browser context. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the user interface level, directly affecting how navigation breadcrumbs are displayed to end users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious content title containing embedded script tags or HTML elements that are then rendered in the breadcrumb navigation. When the affected Drupal site has the breadcrumb title appending feature enabled, the attacker's crafted content title becomes part of the HTML output without proper sanitization, allowing the malicious code to execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw essentially represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where user input directly influences the output without proper security controls, making it particularly dangerous for sites that allow user-generated content submission.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2710 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious advertisements into the affected web pages. Since breadcrumbs are typically displayed prominently in navigation elements, the attack surface is significant and affects all users browsing the affected Drupal site. The vulnerability is especially problematic for sites with multiple content creators or those that allow public submissions, as it provides attackers with a readily available vector for compromising user sessions and potentially escalating privileges. Organizations using the affected Zen module version are exposed to persistent threats that could compromise the integrity of their entire web application ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2710 primarily involve immediate patching of the Zen module to version 6.x-1.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding fixes. Security administrators should also consider disabling the "Append the content title to the end of the breadcrumb" feature if it is not essential for site functionality, as this immediately eliminates the attack vector. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding policies across the Drupal installation can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and monitoring of module updates are crucial for maintaining the security posture of Drupal installations. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all users have the latest security patches installed to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.