CVE-2014-8376 in Site Banner
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the context administration sub-panel in the Site Banner module before 7.x-4.1 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "Administer contexts" Context UI module permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to context settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2018
The CVE-2014-8376 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Site Banner module of Drupal versions prior to 7.x-4.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the context administration sub-panel functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The flaw exists within the Context UI module's handling of context settings, which are typically used to define conditions under which blocks or other content elements should appear on a website. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only the "Administer contexts" permission, which is often granted to trusted users within Drupal's permission system, making it accessible to individuals who should normally be considered safe within the application's security model.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of context settings where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web interface. When authenticated users with the appropriate permissions access the context administration sub-panel, the application fails to adequately filter or escape user-provided data that gets displayed back to the browser. This creates an environment where malicious input can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack vector, where the malicious script is stored in the application's database and then served to other users when they access the affected interface. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be used to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8376 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to compromise entire user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the Drupal environment. Attackers can craft malicious context settings that, when viewed by other users with the appropriate permissions, will execute scripts in their browsers. This could lead to session hijacking, where attackers steal authentication tokens to impersonate legitimate users, or more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or malware distribution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators or content managers regularly interact with the context administration interface, as these users often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability affects the core Context UI functionality, which is commonly used across various Drupal implementations, making it a widespread concern for organizations running affected versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8376 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Drupal 7.x-4.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the Site Banner module. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege management, ensuring that the "Administer contexts" permission is granted only to absolutely trusted users within the organization. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that limit script execution within the application's interface, regular security audits of context configurations, and monitoring for unusual activity in the context administration sub-panel. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which identifies cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within user browsers. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, though this should be viewed as a supplementary measure rather than a primary defense, as the vulnerability's root cause is in the application's core input handling mechanisms.