CVE-2013-4140 in TinyBox
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the TinyBox (Simple Splash) module before 7.x-2.2 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer tinybox" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2019
The CVE-2013-4140 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the TinyBox (Simple Splash) module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.x-2.2. This vulnerability exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with the specific "administer tinybox" permission, making it accessible to users who already possess administrative privileges within the Drupal environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting in software systems. This classification indicates that the vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without proper encoding or validation. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple attack surfaces within the TinyBox module, potentially including configuration fields, content management interfaces, or administrative forms where user input is processed and displayed. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within a Drupal module that typically handles sensitive administrative functions, providing attackers with a potential foothold for further exploitation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risks for Drupal-based web applications that utilize the TinyBox module. The fact that it requires only the "administer tinybox" permission means that an attacker who has gained access to any administrative account with this specific privilege can leverage the vulnerability to execute malicious code across user sessions. This could lead to session hijacking, data theft, privilege escalation, or the deployment of malicious payloads that persist within the application environment. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to inject scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire user base that interacts with the affected Drupal platform.
The exploitation of CVE-2013-4140 aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to command and control operations and privilege escalation. Attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through the injection of malicious scripts that maintain communication with external command and control servers. The vulnerability also supports techniques for credential theft, as the injected scripts could capture user credentials or session tokens. Security professionals should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring for unusual administrative activities and unauthorized script injections within the TinyBox module configuration areas. The remediation strategy must include immediate patching of the TinyBox module to version 7.x-2.2 or later, along with thorough review of existing administrative accounts and their assigned permissions to minimize potential attack surface expansion.
Organizations utilizing Drupal platforms should prioritize this vulnerability assessment and remediation, as the combination of administrative access requirements with the potential for persistent script injection creates a substantial risk profile. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party modules and implementing robust input validation controls across all administrative interfaces. Regular security audits of Drupal modules and their configurations should include verification of proper output encoding and input sanitization mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the web application stack.