CVE-2012-6576 in PRH Search
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PRH Search module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal allows remote attackers from certain sources to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The CVE-2012-6576 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PRH Search module version 7.x-1.x of the Drupal content management system prior to the 7.x-1.1 release. This vulnerability exposes Drupal installations to remote code execution risks when attackers can manipulate search functionality to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically affects the module's handling of user input during search operations, creating an attack surface where unvalidated data can be processed and rendered without proper sanitization measures. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could potentially be exploited through multiple input channels within the search module's processing logic, making the attack surface more unpredictable and potentially more dangerous than typical XSS vulnerabilities with clearly defined entry points.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies the issue as a cross-site scripting weakness where insufficient input validation allows malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The PRH Search module's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied search terms creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can craft malicious search queries containing script tags or other executable code. When these queries are processed and displayed in search results or related pages, the injected code executes in the victim's browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack means that no local access or authentication is required to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6576 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated social engineering campaigns and data exfiltration operations. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows threat actors to establish persistent presence within affected Drupal installations, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information. The attack can be particularly effective in environments where Drupal is used for community portals, forums, or applications handling user-generated content, as these contexts provide natural opportunities for attackers to embed malicious search terms that will be executed by other users. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of script-based commands, and T1566.001, covering spearphishing with attachments, as attackers can leverage the XSS to deliver malicious payloads through search functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6576 require immediate action to upgrade the PRH Search module to version 7.x-1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of Drupal's built-in security modules and proper content filtering configurations to prevent malicious scripts from being processed. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and blocking suspicious search query patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected module and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of delayed patch deployment, as the flaw could enable attackers to establish long-term presence within affected systems and potentially escalate privileges through session manipulation or credential theft operations.