CVE-2012-4474 in Dennis Blake
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Colorbox Node module 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.2 for Drupal allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2018
The Colorbox Node module for Drupal represents a widely used component that enables users to display content in lightbox popups, enhancing user experience on websites. This module specifically targets Drupal 7.x-2.x versions and was vulnerable to multiple cross-site scripting attacks through unspecified parameters that could be manipulated by remote attackers. The vulnerability affected all users of the module who had not yet upgraded to version 7.x-2.2, creating a significant security risk for Drupal-based websites that relied on this functionality.
The technical flaw within the Colorbox Node module stemmed from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads through unspecified parameters that were not properly filtered or escaped before being rendered in web pages. This allowed unauthorized execution of arbitrary JavaScript code or HTML content within the context of other users' browsers, effectively bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability's classification as a cross-site scripting issue indicates that it leveraged the trust relationship between web applications and their users, enabling attackers to manipulate the intended behavior of web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it could enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Remote attackers could potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The severity was particularly concerning given that the module was commonly used across various Drupal installations, meaning that a single vulnerability could affect numerous websites simultaneously. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to privilege escalation scenarios when users have administrative capabilities.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a technique involving web application attacks, potentially falling under the initial access or persistence phases depending on how attackers utilize the vulnerability. Organizations using the affected module should immediately upgrade to version 7.x-2.2 or later, as this release included proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security audits, and ensuring proper input sanitization across all user-facing parameters within Drupal installations. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent the injection of malicious code into web applications through parameter manipulation.