CVE-2014-4505 in Easy Breadcrumb
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Easy Breadcrumb module 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.10 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2018
The CVE-2014-4505 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Easy Breadcrumb module for Drupal version 7.x-2.x prior to 7.x-2.10. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of web application security weaknesses that enable malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session. The Easy Breadcrumb module, designed to enhance website navigation by displaying breadcrumb trails, became a vector for attackers to inject malicious scripts that could compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability's classification as a client-side attack vector means that the malicious code executes on the user's browser rather than on the server, making it particularly dangerous for user interactions and session management.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors within the module's input handling mechanisms, suggesting that the vulnerability exists in how the module processes user-supplied data or configuration parameters. This lack of specificity in the vulnerability description indicates that multiple attack paths may exist within the module's codebase, potentially including improper sanitization of user input, inadequate output encoding, or flawed parameter validation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it could potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and represents a classic example of how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when proper input validation and output encoding are not implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for Drupal websites utilizing the affected Easy Breadcrumb module, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any special privileges or access credentials. Organizations running affected Drupal installations face potential risks including unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, and compromise of sensitive information that users may have entered on the website. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from any location, making it particularly dangerous for websites with a broad user base or those handling sensitive data. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward method for executing malicious code, potentially leading to full compromise of user sessions and access to backend administrative functions if users with elevated privileges are targeted. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers phishing with malicious attachments or links, as attackers could leverage the XSS flaw to redirect users to malicious sites or inject phishing content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4505 focus primarily on immediate patching of the Easy Breadcrumb module to version 7.x-2.10 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent the XSS exploitation. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated module to ensure compatibility with existing website functionality while maintaining security. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other modules or components that may be susceptible to similar XSS vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security gaps in web application architecture. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to proactively identify and address similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.