CVE-2015-2101 in Navigate
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Navigate bar in the Navigate module before 6.x-1.1 and 7.x-1.x before 7.x-1.1 for Drupal allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2018
The CVE-2015-2101 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Navigate module for Drupal platforms, affecting versions prior to 6.x-1.1 and 7.x-1.x. This vulnerability resides in the navigation bar component of the Navigate module, which serves as a fundamental interface element for user navigation within Drupal websites. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts or HTML code through unspecified attack vectors, potentially compromising the security of entire web applications that rely on this module. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the Navigate module's navigation bar implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit affected Drupal sites. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points may exist for exploitation, potentially including form inputs, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data sources that flow into the navigation bar rendering process. This lack of specificity in the vulnerability description indicates the flaw may be present in various data handling scenarios within the module's codebase, making it particularly dangerous as defenders struggle to identify all potential attack surfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2101 extends far beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially administrative privileges on affected Drupal installations. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to steal cookies, modify user permissions, inject malicious content into web pages, and perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The Navigate module's role as a core navigation component means that exploitation could affect large portions of a website's user interface, potentially allowing attackers to redirect users to malicious sites or display fraudulent content. Organizations using affected Drupal versions face significant risk of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory violations due to the persistent nature of XSS attacks and their ability to compromise user trust.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-2101 primarily focus on immediate patching and updating of affected Drupal installations to versions 6.x-1.1 or 7.x-1.1 respectively. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the use of proper HTML escaping techniques and content security policies to prevent script execution in navigation elements. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring proper access controls are in place. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring systems to detect unusual activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as well as maintaining detailed logs of navigation bar modifications and user interactions that could help identify potential attack vectors.