CVE-2014-8317 in Webform Validation
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Webform Validation module 6.x-1.x before 6.x-1.6 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.4 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a component name text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2018
The CVE-2014-8317 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Webform Validation module for Drupal platforms, affecting versions prior to 6.x-1.6 and 7.x-1.4. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of component name text inputs, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The flaw exists in the validation and rendering processes where user-provided component names are not properly sanitized before being displayed in web forms, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed when other users view these forms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the webform module's input processing mechanisms, where component names serve as user-controllable parameters that can be manipulated to introduce malicious code. The security implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability requires only authenticated access with specific permissions, making it accessible to users who already have some level of access to the Drupal administrative interface or form creation capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious domains. When exploited, the XSS payload can persist in the webform component names and execute whenever the form is rendered, potentially affecting multiple users who interact with the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators or content creators have access to form creation tools, as any compromised user with the appropriate permissions can introduce malicious code that affects all users of the web application. This makes the vulnerability a significant concern for organizations relying on Drupal webforms for critical business processes or user interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8317 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Drupal installations to versions 6.x-1.6 and 7.x-1.4 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code or other modules, following the principle of least privilege by restricting form creation permissions to only trusted users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper data sanitization and validation, particularly in web applications where user input is processed and rendered back to users, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1173 for "Web Shell" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" when considering the potential for further exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of defense against XSS attacks, while regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other modules or custom implementations.