CVE-2014-8296 in Modal Frame
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Modal Frame API module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.9 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2018
The CVE-2014-8296 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Modal Frame API module for Drupal version 6.x-1.x prior to 6.x-1.9. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and specifically affects the web application's input validation mechanisms. The Modal Frame API module is designed to provide modal dialog functionality for Drupal websites, enabling users to display content in overlay windows without navigating away from the current page. However, the flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the module's handling of user-supplied data, creating a persistent security risk for affected Drupal installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters within the Modal Frame API module. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the module fails to properly validate or escape user-provided data before rendering it within the modal interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the affected Drupal environment. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may manifest through multiple entry points within the module's codebase, making it particularly challenging to secure and potentially more widespread in its exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations running affected Drupal installations, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of unsuspecting users. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have varying levels of access to the Drupal system. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even through manipulated cookies if the module handles such data. The impact is amplified when considering that the Modal Frame API module is commonly used for administrative functions and user interface elements that may contain sensitive information or be used for privileged operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released by the Drupal security team, which updates the Modal Frame API module to version 6.x-1.9 or later. The patch addresses the input validation issues by implementing proper sanitization and escaping of user-supplied data before it is rendered within the modal interface. Security teams should also consider implementing additional mitigations including web application firewalls, input validation rules, and monitoring for suspicious user activity patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in web applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for malicious file execution, highlighting the multi-layered attack surface this flaw creates. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Drupal installations to identify any other potentially vulnerable modules or custom code that may share similar input handling patterns, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in the application's security posture.