CVE-2012-2907 in aberdeen
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the aberdeen_breadcrumb function in template.php in the Aberdeen theme 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.11 for Drupal, when set to append the content title to the breadcrumb, 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-2012-2907 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Aberdeen theme for Drupal 6.x-1.x versions prior to 6.x-1.11. This vulnerability specifically targets the aberdeen_breadcrumb function located in the template.php file of the affected theme. The flaw occurs when the theme is configured to append content titles to the breadcrumb navigation structure, creating an exploitable vector for remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding of user-provided content titles that are dynamically incorporated into the breadcrumb elements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the theme's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it within the breadcrumb navigation. When content titles contain malicious script payloads, these inputs are directly embedded into the HTML output without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms. This creates a classic XSS attack scenario where attackers can craft content titles containing JavaScript code or HTML tags that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because breadcrumbs are typically displayed in prominent locations on web pages, making injected scripts accessible to all visitors who navigate to affected content. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The affected Drupal 6.x-1.x environment creates a significant risk for organizations relying on this theme, particularly those with user-generated content systems where content creators might unknowingly introduce malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects the entire user base that interacts with the affected Drupal site, making it a widespread concern for web application security.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Aberdeen theme's breadcrumb function. Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 6.x-1.11 or later of the Aberdeen theme to receive the patched implementation that properly sanitizes user input before rendering it in breadcrumb elements. Additionally, administrators should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and reduce the impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in users' browsers. Regular security audits of theme components and input validation practices should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other Drupal modules and themes.