CVE-2014-8318 in Webform
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Webform module 6.x-3.x before 6.x-3.20, 7.x-3.x before 7.x-3.20, and 7.x-4.x before 7.x-4.0-beta2 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a field label title, when two fields have the same form_key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2019
The CVE-2014-8318 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Drupal Webform module that affected multiple version streams including 6.x-3.x, 7.x-3.x, and 7.x-4.x. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of field labels and form key management, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The flaw manifests when two form fields share identical form_key values, a condition that can occur during certain configuration scenarios within the Drupal content management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation within the Webform module's field processing logic. When the module encounters fields with duplicate form_key identifiers, it fails to properly escape or validate the field label content, allowing malicious input to persist in the form structure. This occurs because the module's rendering process does not adequately distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful script content when multiple fields share the same identifier. The vulnerability specifically leverages the fact that the module does not enforce proper HTML escaping when displaying field labels in contexts where the form_key collision creates an exploitable condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables authenticated users with specific permissions to potentially compromise the entire Drupal installation. Attackers can craft malicious field labels containing script tags or other HTML content that executes when other users view the affected forms. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised forms can serve as attack vectors for session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the Drupal environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on Drupal's Webform module for user data collection, as compromised forms could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or system compromise.
The security implications align with CWE-79, which identifies cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in web application security. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, representing the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access. Organizations using affected Drupal versions face significant risk, as the vulnerability requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be leveraged to establish persistent access to the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate user workflow, making detection more difficult. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that many organizations use Webform for sensitive data collection, potentially exposing personal information, credentials, or business-critical data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8318 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to patched releases, specifically 6.x-3.20, 7.x-3.20, and 7.x-4.0-beta2. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Drupal installations receive timely updates. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict user permissions to minimize the attack surface, particularly limiting form creation and modification capabilities to trusted personnel only. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced through custom module development or security-focused Drupal configurations. Regular security audits of form configurations and monitoring for duplicate form_key occurrences can help identify potential vulnerabilities before exploitation. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious script injection patterns in web form submissions, providing an additional layer of defense against this specific attack vector.