CVE-2014-9346 in Hierarchical Select
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Hierarchical Select module 6.x-3.x before 6.x-3.9 for Drupal allow remote authenticated users with certain permissions to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to the (1) taxonomy term title for instances with Save term lineage enabled or (2) entity type fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2018
The CVE-2014-9346 vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the Hierarchical Select module for Drupal versions 6.x-3.x prior to 6.x-3.9. This vulnerability falls under the category of cross-site scripting attacks, which are among the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess certain permissions within the Drupal system, making it particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate user privileges to execute malicious code. The Hierarchical Select module, designed to provide hierarchical navigation for taxonomy terms and entity fields, becomes a vector for exploitation when users with appropriate permissions manipulate the module's functionality. The vulnerability exists in two primary forms, each targeting different aspects of the module's operation and presenting distinct attack surfaces for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping within the module's handling of user-provided data. When users with specific permissions create or edit taxonomy term titles with the "Save term lineage" feature enabled, the module fails to properly sanitize the input before rendering it in the web interface. Similarly, when working with entity type fields, the module does not adequately escape user-supplied content before displaying it in web pages. This lack of proper sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access with specific permissions rather than administrative privileges, making it exploitable by users who have legitimate access to the content management system. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in data handling and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements for preventing XSS attacks according to established security standards.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9346 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised Drupal environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify content displayed to other users, or even escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the Drupal installation, as it allows unauthorized code execution in the context of legitimate users. This makes it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on Drupal for content management and where users have varying levels of access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates within the normal functionality of the system, making detection more difficult and potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability also impacts the trust relationship between the content management system and its users, as legitimate users may unknowingly interact with malicious content injected through this vulnerability.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-9346 should immediately implement the recommended remediation measures, which primarily involve upgrading to the patched version 6.x-3.9 of the Hierarchical Select module. This upgrade addresses the core sanitization issues that enable the XSS attacks by implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their Drupal installations to identify any other modules that may be vulnerable to similar issues, particularly those that handle user input and display it in web interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review processes, especially for modules that handle user data and interact with web interfaces. Organizations should implement comprehensive security policies that include regular security assessments, proper input validation practices, and monitoring for suspicious activities within their content management systems. Additionally, the incident underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The attack pattern corresponds to the ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. The security implications extend beyond immediate exploitation to include potential long-term impacts on system integrity and user trust. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of defense in depth strategies, as it could have been prevented through multiple layers of security controls including proper input validation, output encoding, and regular security testing procedures that are standard requirements in modern cybersecurity frameworks.