CVE-2014-9153 in Services
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Services module 7.x-3.x before 7.x-3.10 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the callback parameter in a JSONP response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2018
The CVE-2014-9153 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Services module for Drupal version 7.x-3.x prior to 7.x-3.10. This vulnerability specifically targets the module's handling of JSONP responses and exposes a dangerous injection vector that can be exploited by authenticated users to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in how the module processes the callback parameter in JSONP responses, creating an avenue for persistent script execution that undermines the security boundaries of the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the Services module's JSONP handling mechanism. When an authenticated user submits a request containing a malicious callback parameter, the module fails to properly escape or validate this input before incorporating it into the JSONP response structure. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that gets executed in the browser context of other users who interact with the vulnerable service endpoints. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate permissions can exploit this flaw to compromise other users within the same Drupal environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application. An attacker could craft malicious callbacks that steal user credentials, modify application data, or redirect users to phishing sites. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage legitimate user permissions to access sensitive information or perform actions that would otherwise be restricted. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, highlighting the potential for persistent client-side compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade their Services module to version 7.x-3.10 or later, as this release contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of JSONP response endpoints and consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of inline scripts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly when handling dynamic content generation through JSONP mechanisms. Regular security audits of third-party modules and adherence to security best practices such as input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in the future. This case underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures to identify and remediate injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.