CVE-2012-5654 in Nodewords
Summary
by MITRE
The Nodewords: D6 Meta Tags module before 6.x-1.14 for Drupal, when configured to automatically generate description meta tags from node text, does not properly filter node content when creating tags, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading the (1) description, (2) dc.description or (3) og:description meta tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5654 affects the Nodewords: D6 Meta Tags module version 6.x-1.13 and earlier in the Drupal content management system. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output filtering mechanisms within the module's meta tag generation process. The module is designed to automatically create description meta tags based on node content, but fails to properly sanitize the data before incorporating it into meta tag attributes.
The technical flaw stems from improper content sanitization during the meta tag creation process where node text content is directly embedded into description meta tags without adequate filtering. This vulnerability manifests when the module processes node content to generate meta tags with names such as description, dc.description, and og:description. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious node content that contains sensitive information or potentially harmful data structures that bypass normal filtering mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to extract sensitive information through the meta tag attributes. When nodes contain data that should not be publicly exposed, such as internal system details, administrative information, or other confidential content, this vulnerability enables unauthorized access to such information through the meta tags. The exposure occurs because the module does not adequately validate or sanitize the content before embedding it into meta tag values, creating a potential information disclosure scenario.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web output, and represents a classic case of insecure data handling in web applications. The attack vector follows ATT&CK technique T1566.001, specifically targeting the execution of malicious content through web-based attack surfaces. Organizations using Drupal with the affected Nodewords module face risks of information leakage that could expose sensitive operational details or system configurations to unauthorized parties.
The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Nodewords: D6 Meta Tags version 6.x-1.14 or later, which includes proper content filtering and sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation procedures and regularly audit their content management systems for similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual patterns in meta tag generation and content processing. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar information disclosure vulnerabilities.