CVE-2015-2197 in Entity Api
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Entity API module before 7.x-1.6 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a field label in the Token API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The CVE-2015-2197 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Entity API module for Drupal platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.x-1.6. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of content management system security and web application integrity, where the Entity API module serves as a fundamental component for managing entity data structures within Drupal's architecture. The flaw manifests when authenticated users with appropriate privileges manipulate field labels through the Token API, creating a vector for malicious script injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Entity API's handling of field labels when processed through the Token API subsystem. When an authenticated user submits a field label containing malicious script content, the system fails to properly validate or escape the input before rendering it within web pages. This processing occurs within the Drupal module architecture where field labels are used in various contexts including administrative interfaces and content display templates. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper HTML entity encoding and script validation mechanisms that should occur during the token replacement process, allowing attackers to inject javascript code or malicious html elements that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2197 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to leverage the authenticated user context to perform more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with valid credentials can manipulate field labels to inject persistent XSS payloads that will execute whenever other users view the affected content or administrative interfaces. This creates a potential for session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators or content editors may be tricked into viewing maliciously crafted field labels, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. The attack vector operates through the standard Drupal workflow where field labels are processed and displayed, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. The remediation strategy requires immediate upgrade to Entity API module version 7.x-1.6 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and HTML escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including content security policies, regular security audits of custom modules, and comprehensive input validation across all user-submitted content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security controls within content management systems and highlights the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software components, particularly those handling user-generated content. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.