CVE-2014-8077 in NewsFlash
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the NewsFlash theme 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.7 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-2.5 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "administer themes" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to font family CSS property.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2019
The CVE-2014-8077 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the NewsFlash theme for Drupal platforms, affecting versions 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.7 and 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-2.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the theme configuration interface where administrators can modify font family CSS properties through the administrative dashboard. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the theme settings, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only the "administer themes" permission, which is often granted to trusted users who may not be fully aware of the security implications of their actions. This permission level allows attackers to modify theme configurations, including CSS properties that are subsequently rendered in web browsers without proper sanitization. The attack vector specifically exploits the handling of font family values in CSS properties, where malicious input containing script tags or other malicious code can be injected and executed when the theme configuration is saved and subsequently rendered in the browser. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages such as JavaScript, highlighting how attackers can leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious scripts. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it allows attackers to establish persistent access to compromised Drupal installations through the theme administration interface. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, they can potentially escalate privileges, modify content, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where theme administration permissions are granted to multiple users, including those who may not fully understand the security implications of their actions. The affected versions of the NewsFlash theme were particularly vulnerable because they failed to implement proper input validation for CSS properties, specifically those related to font family definitions, which are commonly used in theme customization interfaces. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all user-supplied input in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where users have elevated privileges. The remediation process involves upgrading to the patched versions of the NewsFlash theme, specifically 6.x-1.7 for Drupal 6 and 7.x-2.5 for Drupal 7, which implement proper input sanitization and validation for CSS properties. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as input filtering at the web application firewall level and regular security audits of theme configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in other custom or third-party themes. The vulnerability underscores the broader challenge of securing web application interfaces where users can modify styling elements, as these interfaces often receive less security scrutiny than core application functionality.