CVE-2015-3353 in Field Display Label Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Field Display Label module before 7.x-1.3 for Drupal allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the alternate field label in content types settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2019
The CVE-2015-3353 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Field Display Label module for Drupal versions prior to 7.x-1.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the content type settings configuration where users can define field labels, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The flaw exists in the sanitization and validation mechanisms that should prevent untrusted input from being rendered in the user interface, particularly within the context of field label configuration where administrators define how content fields should be displayed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user with sufficient privileges to modify content type settings, which typically includes editors or administrators within the Drupal content management system. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input in the alternate field label field, which gets stored and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent XSS payload that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected content type configurations, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically within the context of field display configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to escalate privileges or compromise user sessions within the Drupal environment. When combined with other vulnerabilities or used in conjunction with social engineering tactics, attackers can create persistent backdoors or establish command and control channels through the infected Drupal instances. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on Drupal for content management, as the vulnerability can be exploited to compromise not only individual user sessions but potentially entire organizational web applications. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through valid accounts and T1059.001 for command and control through script injection.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Field Display Label module to version 7.x-1.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement additional security controls such as content security policies that restrict script execution within the Drupal admin interface, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. Regular security audits of Drupal modules and themes should be conducted to identify potentially vulnerable components, with particular attention to modules that handle user input in display contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing XSS vulnerabilities.