CVE-2013-2036 in Filebrowser
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Filebrowser module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.2 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, related to "lists of files."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2019
The CVE-2013-2036 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Filebrowser module for Drupal version 6.x-2.x prior to 6.x-2.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the module's handling of file lists and presents a significant security risk to Drupal-based web applications. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's file listing functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical flaw manifests when the Filebrowser module processes and displays lists of files without proper sanitization of user-supplied input or output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious file names or directory structures that contain embedded script code, which then gets executed when other users view the file listings. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the file listing functionality may be susceptible to this type of injection attack, potentially including file names, directory paths, or metadata associated with files in the browser interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. In a Drupal environment, this could compromise the entire content management system, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive administrative functions or manipulate content. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using older Drupal versions where the Filebrowser module is installed, as these systems lack the security patches implemented in version 6.x-2.2. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that many organizations maintain legacy Drupal installations that may not have received timely updates, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Filebrowser module version 6.x-2.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security measures should also include implementing content security policies to limit script execution, conducting regular security audits of installed modules, and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability assessments for all web applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how insecure input handling can lead to severe web application compromises. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on script injection within web applications. The remediation process should also involve thorough testing of the updated module to ensure compatibility with existing Drupal installations and prevent potential service disruptions while addressing the security vulnerability.