CVE-2012-4493 in Better Revisions
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the administrative interface in the Better Revisions module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer better revisions" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2018
The CVE-2012-4493 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Better Revisions module for Drupal 7.x-1.x versions prior to 1.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the module, creating a significant security risk for Drupal installations that utilize this component. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers who possess the "administer better revisions" permission to execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise. The vulnerability exists in the module's handling of user input within the administrative panel, where insufficient sanitization allows malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed when legitimate users access the affected interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Better Revisions administrative module. When authenticated users with administrative privileges interact with the module's interface, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed in the browsers of other users who access the same administrative interface. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only the specific administrative permission rather than full system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators have varying levels of privilege. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may occur across multiple input points within the administrative interface, complicating the identification and remediation process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of other administrators, and access sensitive system information. In a typical Drupal environment, this could enable an attacker to modify revision settings, access revision history of sensitive content, or potentially gain deeper system access through session hijacking. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative interface means that even if other parts of the Drupal site are properly secured, the compromised administrative module could serve as a foothold for broader attacks. Organizations using Drupal with the Better Revisions module were particularly vulnerable, as the attack surface included not just the module's functionality but also the administrative capabilities of the entire Drupal platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4493 primarily focus on immediate patching and access control measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Better Revisions module version 7.x-1.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement strict access controls, ensuring that only trusted administrators possess the "administer better revisions" permission. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect suspicious activities within the administrative interface, while web application firewalls may provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution. Regular security audits of Drupal modules and maintaining up-to-date security practices are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw highlights the importance of input validation in administrative interfaces where privileged users interact with potentially untrusted data sources.