CVE-2012-6583 in Imagemenu
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Imagemenu module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.4 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer imagemenu" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an image file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2019
The CVE-2012-6583 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Imagemenu module for Drupal 6.x-1.x versions prior to 6.x-1.4. This vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess the "administer imagemenu" permission, creating a significant security risk for Drupal-based web applications. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the module's handling of image file names, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is directly incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization. In the context of the Imagemenu module, the vulnerability occurs when administrators upload images with maliciously crafted file names containing script tags or other HTML content. When these image names are displayed within the module's interface or rendered in web pages, the injected scripts execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who view the affected content. This creates a persistent threat where legitimate administrators become unwitting vectors for delivering malicious payloads to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker with the required permissions can manipulate the module's functionality to store malicious payloads within image file names, which then get executed whenever the affected pages are accessed. This vector of attack is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate administrative privileges, making the attack harder to detect and trace. The vulnerability essentially transforms the administrative interface into a command and control mechanism for delivering client-side attacks to other users within the same Drupal environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6583 should prioritize immediate patching to version 6.x-1.4 or later of the Imagemenu module, as this addresses the core input validation issues that enable the XSS attack. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including strict input sanitization for all file uploads, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and monitoring administrative activities for suspicious file name patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating and sanitizing all user-provided data, particularly in administrative modules where elevated privileges exist. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while ensuring that regular security audits include assessment of module configurations and user permission assignments to prevent privilege escalation scenarios.