CVE-2014-8765 in Project Issue File Review
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Project Issue File Review module (PIFR) module 6.x-2.x before 6.x-2.17 for Drupal allow (1) remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted patch, which triggers a PIFR client to test the patch and return the results to the PIFR_Server test results page or (2) remote authenticated users with the "manage PIFR environments" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving a PIFR_Server administrative page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2018
The CVE-2014-8765 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Project Issue File Review module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions 6.x-2.x prior to 6.x-2.17. This vulnerability resides in the PIFR module's handling of user-supplied input during patch testing processes, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by both unauthenticated and authenticated threat actors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the module's architecture, particularly when processing test results returned to administrative pages. The affected system components include the PIFR client functionality that processes patches and the PIFR_Server test results page where malicious content is rendered, making this a comprehensive XSS vector that spans both client-side and server-side processing contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that leverage different user permissions and input contexts. The first vector targets unauthenticated attackers who can inject malicious scripts via crafted patches that are processed by the PIFR client and subsequently displayed on the PIFR_Server test results page. This creates a classic stored XSS scenario where malicious code is executed in the context of victims' browsers when they view the vulnerable test results. The second vector targets authenticated users possessing the "manage PIFR environments" permission, allowing them to inject malicious content through administrative page interactions. Both vectors demonstrate a failure in proper input sanitization and output encoding, with the vulnerability classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web output. The attack mechanics involve the injection of malicious JavaScript payloads that can execute in the context of legitimate users' sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant security risks for Drupal installations utilizing the PIFR module. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that malicious content is stored and displayed on server-side pages, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who regularly access these results pages. The exploitation chain begins with an attacker submitting a crafted patch or administrative input, which gets processed and stored without proper sanitization, then executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the Drupal platform's security model, as it allows attackers to bypass access controls and execute malicious code in the context of privileged users. The potential for privilege escalation exists when authenticated users with administrative permissions are compromised, as their elevated privileges can be leveraged to further compromise the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Scripting) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts and potentially establish persistent access through compromised user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8765 require immediate patching of the affected PIFR module to version 6.x-2.17 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output encoding fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side sanitization, to prevent malicious content from being processed and stored. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious patterns in patch submissions and administrative inputs. Access control measures should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary users possess the "manage PIFR environments" permission, reducing the attack surface for the authenticated vector. Regular security audits of Drupal modules should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched module to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while addressing the XSS vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual patch submission patterns and unauthorized administrative access attempts. Security awareness training for developers and administrators can help prevent future vulnerabilities by promoting secure coding practices and proper input validation techniques. Organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar XSS patterns in custom modules and third-party components, providing early warning of potential security issues. The fix addresses the core issue of insufficient input sanitization by implementing proper HTML escaping and content validation mechanisms that prevent malicious scripts from being executed in user browsers.