CVE-2013-4229 in Monster Menus
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Monster Menus module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.12 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with permissions to add pages to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a title in the page settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2025
The CVE-2013-4229 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Monster Menus module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.12. This vulnerability resides in the module's handling of page title inputs within the administrative interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code. The flaw is particularly concerning because it targets authenticated users who possess permissions to add pages, meaning that an attacker with legitimate access rights can exploit this weakness to compromise the entire Drupal site.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability occurs when the Monster Menus module fails to properly sanitize or escape user input during the page creation process. When an authenticated user with appropriate permissions creates or modifies a page title, the module stores this input without adequate validation or encoding, subsequently rendering it in the browser without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4229 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute scripts in the context of other authenticated users, potentially accessing sensitive administrative functions, modifying content, or stealing session cookies. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to privilege escalation within the Drupal environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators might be tricked into viewing malicious page titles, or where attackers can manipulate the page creation process to inject malicious content that persists across user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4229 should focus on immediate patching of the Monster Menus module to version 7.x-1.12 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their Drupal installations, ensuring that all user-generated content undergoes proper sanitization before storage or rendering. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for script injection techniques, highlighting the need for robust application security measures and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of such weaknesses in web applications.