CVE-2012-6575 in Exposed Filter Data
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Exposed Filter Data module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.2 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2018
The CVE-2012-6575 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Exposed Filter Data module for Drupal version 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The exposed filter data module is designed to provide additional functionality for Drupal sites by exposing filter data to users, but this particular implementation contained a security gap that could be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. The vulnerability manifests when the module processes user input through unspecified vectors, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code into the application's response. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute code in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used Drupal module, making numerous websites potentially vulnerable to exploitation.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Exposed Filter Data module's code. When user-provided data is processed through the module's exposed filter functionality, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the web page context. This failure to implement proper security controls means that malicious payloads can be injected directly into the HTML output, which are then executed by the victim's browser. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the flaw could be triggered through multiple entry points within the module's functionality, making the attack surface broader and more difficult to predict. This lack of specific vector information also indicates that the vulnerability may be present in various aspects of how the module handles user input, including form submissions, URL parameters, or filter configurations. The vulnerability exists at the application layer, specifically within the web interface rendering logic where user data is displayed without proper security sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6575 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Drupal sites are used for content management, e-commerce, or administrative functions, as the injected scripts could access sensitive user data, modify content, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The attack could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, or the complete compromise of the affected Drupal installation. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. Organizations using vulnerable Drupal installations may face regulatory compliance issues, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences due to data exposure resulting from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6575 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Exposed Filter Data module to version 6.x-1.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout their Drupal installations, ensuring that all user-provided data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, including unusual patterns of user input or access to exposed filter functionality. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other Drupal modules or custom code implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping all web application components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent the injection of untrusted data into executable contexts, aligning with the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for web application security.