CVE-2012-2715 in Amadou
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the themes_links function in template.php in the Amadou theme module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.3 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to class attributes in a list of links.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The CVE-2012-2715 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Amadou theme module for Drupal 6.x-1.x versions prior to 6.x-1.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the themes_links function in the template.php file, which is responsible for rendering lists of links within the Drupal content management system. The flaw arises from inadequate input sanitization when processing class attributes associated with link elements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which classifies it as a Cross-Site Scripting weakness in web applications. This particular implementation vulnerability occurs when the themes_links function fails to properly escape or validate class attribute values before incorporating them into the rendered HTML output. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious class attribute values containing script tags or other malicious HTML content, which then gets executed when legitimate users view pages containing these compromised links. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the presentation layer, allowing attackers to manipulate the user interface and potentially escalate privileges or steal session cookies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors within the Drupal ecosystem. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised Drupal installation. The vulnerability affects users who view pages containing links with malicious class attributes, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted content or where administrators have limited control over user-generated content. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which describes the use of scripting languages for execution, and T1566.001, which covers social engineering through spearphishing with malicious attachments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2715 primarily focus on immediate patching of the affected Amadou theme module to version 6.x-1.3 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout their Drupal installations, particularly in areas where user-provided data is rendered in HTML contexts. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, regularly monitoring for malicious content, and maintaining updated security configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while ensuring that all Drupal modules are kept current with security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is frequently rendered without adequate sanitization.