CVE-2014-5022 in Drupal
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Ajax system in Drupal 7.x before 7.29 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving forms with an Ajax-enabled textfield and a file field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2022
The CVE-2014-5022 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Drupal 7.x versions prior to 7.29, specifically affecting the Ajax system's handling of form elements. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the content management system's asynchronous JavaScript operations. The flaw manifests when Drupal processes forms that contain both Ajax-enabled textfields and file fields, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of form data submitted via Ajax requests. When a form includes both a textfield configured for Ajax behavior and a file field, the system fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it back to the browser. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of legitimate users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate Ajax functionality of Drupal, making the malicious code appear to originate from a trusted source within the application.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses significant risks to Drupal installations, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple script execution, as attackers can exploit the vulnerability to manipulate user sessions, steal administrative privileges, or compromise the entire website. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities, highlighting the fundamental flaw in input sanitization processes.
The attack surface for CVE-2014-5022 is particularly broad given Drupal's widespread adoption across various organizations and the common use of Ajax-enabled forms in web applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly those utilizing asynchronous processing features. Organizations running affected Drupal versions face potential exposure to sophisticated attacks that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also illustrates the critical need for regular security updates and patch management processes, as the issue was resolved in Drupal 7.29 through enhanced sanitization routines and improved form processing validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of the Drupal 7.29 security patch, which addresses the core sanitization issues in the Ajax system. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security auditing of form processing components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of "Cross-Site Scripting" within the broader category of web application attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive web application security controls. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript execution patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.