CVE-2014-9505 in School Administration
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the School Administration module 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.8 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users with permission to create or edit a class node to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a node title.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2018
The CVE-2014-9505 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the School Administration module for Drupal, specifically affecting versions 7.x-1.x prior to 7.x-1.8. This vulnerability resides in the module's handling of node titles within the class management functionality, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated users with specific permissions. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security concern that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user with permissions to create or edit class nodes manipulates the node title field to include malicious script code. When other users view the affected class node, the injected script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected Drupal installation. The vulnerability specifically targets the input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the School Administration module, where user-supplied content in node titles is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in web pages. This weakness enables attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the Drupal environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator credentials, modify class information, or redirect users to malicious sites. The presence of authenticated users with class creation permissions creates a realistic attack vector since these users often have elevated privileges within the school administration system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire School Administration module, potentially compromising sensitive educational data and user information. This weakness also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Credential Access: Phishing for Credentials, as the injected scripts could be designed to capture user authentication information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9505 should prioritize immediate patching of the School Administration module to version 7.x-1.8 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures at multiple levels, including server-side validation of all user inputs and proper HTML escaping of dynamic content before rendering. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while also monitoring for unusual patterns in class node creation or modification activities. Additionally, privilege escalation controls should be reviewed to ensure that users with class creation permissions are properly vetted and that least-privilege principles are enforced. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and thorough input validation practices in web application development, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten categories and NIST cybersecurity frameworks that emphasize the critical need for secure coding practices and vulnerability management protocols.