CVE-2013-1887 in Views
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Views module 7.x-3.x before 7.x-3.6 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via certain view configuration fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1887 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Views module for Drupal version 7.x-3.x, specifically affecting releases prior to 7.x-3.6. This issue resides in the core functionality of the Views module which is widely used for creating custom content displays and data presentations within Drupal-based websites. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users with specific permissions attempt to manipulate view configuration fields, potentially leading to arbitrary script injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of view configuration parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web pages. Attackers with sufficient permissions can craft malicious inputs that bypass the module's input validation mechanisms, allowing them to inject HTML and JavaScript code directly into view displays. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability where malicious code persists in the application's data stores and executes whenever affected views are rendered. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access with specific permissions rather than administrative privileges, making it exploitable by users who have limited but targeted access rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1887 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the Drupal environment. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of web applications, potentially affecting thousands of Drupal sites that rely on the Views module for content presentation. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration fields can become attack vectors when proper input sanitization is absent, particularly affecting sites that implement role-based access controls with users possessing view editing capabilities. Organizations running affected Drupal installations face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, especially in environments where user permissions are not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1887 primarily involve immediate patching of the Views module to version 7.x-3.6 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input filtering at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent script execution. Access control measures must be strengthened to limit view configuration permissions to only trusted users, following the principle of least privilege. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other contributed modules, as this vulnerability pattern is common across many web applications. The remediation process should include monitoring for suspicious user activities and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across their Drupal environments, preventing similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.