CVE-2013-4174 in Scald
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Scald module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) flash_uri, (2) flash_width, or (3) flash_height in the scald_flash_scald_prerender function in providers/scald_flash/scald_flash.module; or the (4) caption in the scald_image_scald_prerender function in providers/scald_image/scald_image.module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The CVE-2013-4174 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness discovered in the Scald module for Drupal CMS versions 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.1. This vulnerability affects the module's handling of user input in multimedia content rendering functions, specifically targeting the scald_flash_scald_prerender and scald_image_scald_prerender functions. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the module's codebase, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into web pages served by vulnerable Drupal installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through four distinct attack vectors that collectively demonstrate a pattern of insufficient data validation. The first vector involves the flash_uri parameter within the scald_flash_scald_prerender function, where unvalidated user input gets directly incorporated into rendered HTML output without proper sanitization. The second and third vectors target flash_width and flash_height parameters with identical vulnerabilities, indicating a systemic flaw in how these multimedia attributes are processed. The fourth vector operates through the caption parameter in the scald_image_scald_prerender function, where image caption text undergoes similar inadequate validation. All these parameters are susceptible to XSS attacks because the module fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied content before rendering it in web contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4174 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of victim browsers. This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible Drupal websites. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects websites that utilize the Scald module for managing multimedia content, particularly those that allow user-uploaded media or content with editable parameters. Given that the Scald module is commonly used for embedding Flash content and managing image galleries, the attack surface is substantial across various Drupal implementations.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-74, which covers improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-20, which addresses input validation issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, specifically the 'Phishing' technique, as attackers could leverage this flaw to create malicious web pages that trick users into executing harmful scripts. The vulnerability also relates to T1213, 'Data from Information Repositories,' as it could potentially be used to exfiltrate sensitive information from authenticated user sessions.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading of the Scald module to version 7.x-1.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures at multiple layers of their web applications, including implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Regular security audits and automated vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other modules or custom code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and user input validation for all multimedia content management features will significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. System administrators should also monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems, as the attack patterns are well-documented and detectable through network traffic analysis.