CVE-2012-2717 in Mobile Tools
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Mobile Tools module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.3 for Drupal allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Mobile URL field or (2) Desktop URL field to the General configuration page, or the (3) message to the Mobile Tools block message options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2717 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Mobile Tools module for Drupal version 6.x-2.x prior to 6.x-2.3. This security weakness resides in the module's handling of user input across multiple configuration interfaces, creating opportunities for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability specifically targets three distinct input vectors within the Mobile Tools module's administrative configuration pages, making it particularly dangerous as it affects multiple attack surfaces within the same module.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Mobile Tools module's codebase. Attackers can exploit this flaw by submitting malicious payloads through three specific fields: the Mobile URL field, the Desktop URL field located on the General configuration page, and the message field within the Mobile Tools block message options. These fields fail to properly sanitize user-provided input before rendering it in web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which directly enables cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2717 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the affected Drupal sites. When users navigate to pages that display the malicious content injected through the vulnerable fields, their browsers execute the embedded scripts, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying website content. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can submit data to the affected configuration pages. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.007 for command and control through scripting, as the injected code can establish persistent malicious presence within the website environment.
Organizations running affected Drupal installations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading to Mobile Tools module version 6.x-2.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation at the web application firewall level, particularly for the specific configuration fields mentioned in the vulnerability. Access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized personnel can modify the Mobile Tools configuration settings, reducing the attack surface. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative capabilities to essential personnel only, while also implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security audits of third-party modules should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling issues can create significant security risks in content management systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities through proper input sanitization and output encoding.