CVE-2014-9499 in Godwin's Law
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Godwin s Law module before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal, when using the dblog module, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a Watchdog message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9499 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Godwin s Law module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.x-1.1. This issue manifests when the dblog module is in use, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit the weakness, but once achieved, the impact can be significant. The Godwin s Law module, designed to automatically insert a message about the law when certain keywords are detected in content, creates a specific attack vector through its integration with the dblog module's watchdog functionality. The flaw occurs when user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the watchdog message display, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the browsers of other users who view the affected log entries. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 classification for Cross-site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique, specifically within the T1190 category related to Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers leverage vulnerabilities in web applications to execute malicious code. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. When an authenticated user views the watchdog log entries containing the injected script, the malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially compromising their session and allowing for further exploitation. The database logging functionality of the dblog module creates a persistent vector for this attack since log entries are stored and displayed in a user-facing interface, making the injection process straightforward for attackers who can submit content that triggers the Godwin s Law module's behavior. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input sanitization in all user-facing application components, particularly those that display data from potentially untrusted sources. The mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched version 7.x-1.1 of the Godwin s Law module, which implements proper output encoding and input validation measures. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, conducting regular security audits of contributed modules, and ensuring that all Drupal installations maintain current versions of core and contributed components to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts in real-time. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of how seemingly benign modules can create significant security risks when proper sanitization practices are not implemented, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all application components, particularly those that interact with user input and display data in web interfaces.