CVE-2012-4485 in galleryformatter
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the galleryformatter_field_formatter_view functiuon in galleryformatter.tpl.php the Gallery formatter module before 7.x-1.2 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users with permissions to create a node or entity to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) title or (2) alt parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2012-4485 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Gallery formatter module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.x-1.2. This issue resides in the galleryformatter_field_formatter_view function within the galleryformatter.tpl.php template file, demonstrating a classic input validation weakness that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of two primary parameters: title and alt, which are commonly used in image and media display contexts within Drupal's content management framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users with sufficient permissions to create nodes or entities submit malicious payloads through the title or alt fields of gallery elements. These parameters are processed through the galleryformatter_field_formatter_view function without proper sanitization or output encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets rendered in the browser. The flaw represents a variant of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, where user-controllable data flows directly into HTML output without appropriate security measures. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it enables attackers to craft malicious content that appears legitimate within the Drupal interface, potentially leading to session hijacking or further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4485 extends beyond simple XSS execution, as authenticated users can leverage this flaw to manipulate content displayed to other users within the Drupal environment. When an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the title or alt parameters, any user viewing the affected content becomes vulnerable to various attack vectors including credential theft, session manipulation, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's persistence in the system means that once exploited, the malicious code can continue to execute each time the affected content is rendered, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. The risk is particularly elevated in multi-user environments where administrators or content creators may inadvertently interact with maliciously crafted content, or where attackers can escalate their privileges through the exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations using Drupal installations with the vulnerable Gallery formatter module face significant exposure to persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive data, or serve as a launching point for more sophisticated attacks within their web infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4485 primarily involve immediate patching of the Gallery formatter module to version 7.x-1.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. System administrators should also implement comprehensive content validation policies that enforce strict sanitization of all user-provided input, particularly in fields that are rendered as HTML content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by limiting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other contributed modules, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation across all Drupal components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date security practices including regular Drupal core and module updates, proper user permission management, and comprehensive security training for content creators and administrators.