CVE-2014-9362 in Quick
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the path-based meta tag editing form in the Meta tags quick module 7.x-2.x before 7.x-2.8 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with the "Edit path based meta tags" permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to deleting a Path-based Metatag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9362 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Meta tags quick module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions 7.x-2.x prior to 7.x-2.8. This issue resides in the path-based meta tag editing form functionality where authenticated users with specific permissions can exploit a weakness in the module's handling of path-based metatag deletion operations. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic XSS vector that can be exploited through web-based interfaces.
The technical exploitation occurs when an authenticated user with the "Edit path based meta tags" permission attempts to delete a path-based metatag within the Drupal administration interface. During this deletion process, the module fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input that is subsequently rendered in the web page context. This improper input handling creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the browser context of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the deletion operation rather than during creation or modification, indicating a particular weakness in the module's input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it allows attackers to potentially escalate privileges or execute malicious code within the browser context of authenticated users. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or perform actions on behalf of the victim within the Drupal environment. This represents a significant security risk for Drupal sites that rely on the Meta tags quick module for managing SEO metadata, particularly in environments where multiple administrators have access to the metatag editing functionality. The vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise the integrity of the website's metadata management system and potentially lead to broader exploitation within the Drupal platform.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 7.x-2.8 of the Meta tags quick module or applying the relevant security patches provided by the Drupal security team. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict permissions for the "Edit path based meta tags" capability to only the most trusted users within the organization. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, particularly when handling user-supplied data in web applications. This case highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of module functionality, especially in areas where user input is processed and rendered in web contexts, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web-based interfaces.