CVE-2012-5705 in hotblocks
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the settings page (admin/settings/hotblocks) in the Hotblocks module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.8 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer hotblocks" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "block names."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2019
The CVE-2012-5705 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Hotblocks module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.8. This vulnerability exists in the administrative settings page at admin/settings/hotblocks where the module handles block name inputs. The flaw allows authenticated users with the specific permission "administer hotblocks" to inject malicious scripts or HTML content, creating a significant security risk for Drupal installations. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative interface, providing attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the module's configuration and potentially compromise the entire web application.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the Hotblocks module's settings handling code. When administrators enter block names through the administrative interface, the module fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before rendering it back to the browser. This failure creates an injection point where malicious payloads can be executed in the context of other users' browsers, particularly those with administrative privileges. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a classic cross-site scripting weakness, where the application fails to sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5705 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the administrative interface and potentially escalate privileges within the Drupal environment. An attacker with the "administer hotblocks" permission could craft malicious block names containing JavaScript payloads that execute when other administrators view the settings page. This could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or even complete compromise of the Drupal installation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically JavaScript, and represents a path for privilege escalation through web application exploitation. The attack vector requires only authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is not strictly controlled.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their Drupal installations. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading the Hotblocks module to version 6.x-1.8 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization patches. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities in the browser, though this provides only secondary protection. Network-level filtering and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious input patterns in administrative interfaces, while regular security audits of Drupal modules should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular patch management procedures should be strengthened to ensure timely updates of all Drupal modules, particularly those handling user input in administrative contexts.